This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
News
Hail storms damage parts of Bordeaux
Parts of Bordeaux’s Right Bank and Entre-Deux-Mers were pummelled by hail stones last week when storms struck vineyards on 17 and 18 April.
The more severe of the two storms took place on Friday 17 April and struck vineyards around Saint-Émilion, particularly in the communes of Saint-Sulpice de Faleyrens, Vignonet, Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes, Saint-Étienne de Lisse, Saint-Hippolyte, Puisseguin and Castillon.
Meanwhile, in Entre-Deux-Mers, areas including Grézillac, Targon, Daignac, Espiet, Branne and Saint-Léon were affected.
A second cloudburst struck on the following day, mostly over the Saint-Julien-Beychevelle appellation, but reports indicate that the damage wasn’t great, with the amount of water falling in a short period proving more of a concern.
In a bulletin, the Gironde Chamber of Agriculture said the first storm caused damage in a “south-west-north-east corridor”, stretching from Entre-Deux Mers, and the Saint-Emilionnais to Castillonnais and Dordogne.
Damage ranged from minimal to 100% destruction, and having mapped the areas affected, first estimates indicate between 600 and 800 hectares of vines are more than 80% damaged. The map can be found here.
Other areas reporting damage include La Sauve, Tizac de Curton, Moulon, Saint Radegonde, Juillac, Flaujagues, Doulezon , Ruch, Saint Philippe d’Aiguille, Monbadon, Côtes de Francs, Saint-Cibard, Tayac, Pellegrue, Massugas, Caplong, Eynesse and Saint Avit de Soulège.
Philippe Raymond of Saint-Émilion Wine Council (CVSE) estimates that between 3,000 and 4,000 hectares have been affected on the Right Bank, with between 10% and 100% crop losses.
Christophe Château, communications director the CIVB, said it was “too early” to tell the impact on this year’s harvest.
He told Wine Spectator that the hail damage would not affect the yield for the Gironde region, but said that some estates have been “severely impacted”.
Speaking to France Info, he added that parts of Entre-Deux-Mers and Côtes de Francs, in particular Château Le Puy, had been “very affected”, and Saint-Émilion less so.