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Low yields, high rewards: an insight into Southern France’s 2024 harvest

05 November 2024 By db staff writer

Although climatic difficulties have made the 2024 vintage challenging, Bijou, based in the south of France, has shared that its growers have still been able to harvest high quality grapes.

It became clear earlier this year that France’s 2024 vintage was not necessarily going to be one that growers would look back upon with much fondness. According to figures from the French government’s agricultural statistics department, Agreste, released as harvesting was taking place, the country’s overall wine production would be 18% down on that of 2023, falling to around 39.3 million hectolitres.

However, producers, such as Bijou, whose partner growers harvest across the Languedoc and Provence, have adapted to the crisis.

Bijou brand manager Emily West suggested that the 2024 harvest has been one of “turning challenges into opportunities”.

“The climate has been particularly testing with both severe drought and intense rainfall and humidity. For our growers, La Haute Valleé de l’Aude has been particularly challenged by the climate; Chardonnay volumes appear to be down by around 30% this vintage with Viognier fairing similar results. However, while losses were significant in some areas, up to 50% in areas such as Rousset and Sainte-Victoire, the surviving grapes have shown exceptional quality and resilience.”

West also shared that certain varieties have really shone this year, with the extended ripening period helping to improve polyphenolic maturity.

“White wines have a fresh, lively character with finesse, while our rosés are aromatic, offering fruit-forward flavours and attractive colour,” she explained. “The reds are looking particularly supple with mellow tannins. Viognier, Chardonnay, and Syrah are definitely the stars of the season, their scarcity only enhancing their desirability.”

With regards to the Viognier, West revealed that Bijou is in the “final stages” of blending an expression of the variety for its Le Bijou de Sophie Valrose range.

‘Silver linings’

“One of the surprising silver linings of this year’s extreme weather has been the unexpectedly mild summer temperatures in Languedoc,” West revealed. “This climate shift allowed for a slower, more measured ripening of the grapes, contrasting sharply with recent years dominated by heatwaves that forced early harvests. As a result, the vines that did survive thrived, leading to remarkable phenolic maturity, well-balanced acidity, and significantly improved grape quality overall.”

She also argued that sustainability-focused measures taken in the vineyard have helped to mitigate the effects of a problematic growing season: “Our growers’ eco-friendly practices – cover cropping, organic pest management, and soil health initiatives – helped us respond to the season’s unpredictable climate with more precision. We’re particularly proud of our Caladoc, our sustainably grown variety in our best-loved Le Bijou de Sophie Valrose rosé, and the upcoming Marselan, a cross of Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache that’s disease-resistant and needs minimal spraying. The focus on responsible agriculture is not just good for the environment; it’s enhancing the wine’s quality, complexity and resilience, giving an authentic taste of Languedoc’s terroir.”

According to Bijou, 95% of the grapes going into its wines are sustainably farmed, with HEV3 (High Environmental Value Level Three) and organic certification.

“We’ve seen our growers launch new initiatives this year, including a GDON [Defence Group against harmful organisms] in order to monitor potential pests, as well as the GIEE [Economic and Environmental Interest Group], aimed at increasing environmentally friendly agricultural practices and discussing soil management themes, irrigation, traceability etc. These groups will work closely with volunteer winegrowers, and our shared goal is to make them the standard in the future,” added West.

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