End of August harvest for Alsace

The eastern French region of Alsace has announced it is likely to begin harvesting around the 24/25 August this year after a warm and dry season.

A report from the Vins Alsace trade body noted that the 2020 harvest was fairly advanced but of good size, generally excellent health and seemed likely to follow in the footsteps of the very good 2019s.

It has been a warm and dry year in the region with a mild winter leading to bud break being observed as early as 10 April in Bergheim.

The following weeks were apparently so warm and dry that there were fears of drought in May before a series of large downpours staved off this risk.

With flowering well advanced by the end of May, June brought a period of cooler weather which delayed further development.

This extended flowering period has apparently resulted in “relative” heterogeneity in bunch weight but there have been instances of ‘coulure‘ in some varieties and lower rainfall in Molsheim and Barr has impacted the crop size in those sub-regions.

The conditions have largely prevented any major outbreaks of disease; grape worms, downy and powdery mildew have not been problems this year.

The report also outlined Alsace’s growing green credentials, with 50% of the vineyard area now certified or in the process of obtaining the French government’s Level 3 High Environmental Value farming credentials and 25% of the vineyards being farmed organically.