Burgundy 2017 harvest back to ‘normal’ size

The Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bourgogne (BIVB) have confirmed the figures from the 2017 vintage in Burgundy showing a substantial rise on the 2016 crop.

In total, the 2017 harvest amounted to just over 1.5 million hectolitres, which is 5% greater than the 10 year average between 2007-2016.

The spring frosts of 2017 across France have been a major talking point over the past year, especially in Bordeaux, but, for once, while it has often been a lightning rod for bad weather in the recent past, the region actually escaped major damage overall.

The white wine harvest was up 21% over 2016 – the volume of white wine being particularly small in 2016 – volumes in the Mâconnais were down 10% on 2016 but, although it was hit by frost again, Chablis actually registered a 52% increase in production over 2016 which is some good news for the stricken region.

Red wine volumes were up 41% on 2016 (and up 26% on the average over the past five vintages).

Regional red AOCs were up 36% on 2016’s figures, Mercurey saw a 15% jump in volume and the Hautes Côtes de Nuits and Beaune were up 66%.

Crémant de Bourgogne volumes were reportedly down 4%.

The news is a much needed fillip for Burgundy where global demand for its wines continues to grow exponentially.

If, and it is still very early days of course, the 2018 crop turns out to be of a reasonable size as well then the pressure on stocks – if not prices at all levels – will be on the way to being somewhat lessened.