We are on the eve of harvest in Burgundy. One or two of the earliest pickers, and those harvesting for sparkling wine, began earlier this week. Quite a few in Meursault are kicking off today or tomorrow. Others will wait until after the weekend, with the possibility of a few welcome showers at the end of this week.
I had a quick discussion with Ludivine Griveau who sounded relaxed and cheerful, especially compared to the stress just before harvest in 2020 and the complicated for everybody 2021 season. She plans to pick the Hospices de Beaune Pouilly-Fuissé cuvée on Thursday 25th August, with the main harvest following from Sunday or Monday. The grapes have remained healthy, with the principal threat of oidium under control. She likes the aromatics which are developing well in the grapes, sugar levels have not escaped, while malic acidity is low though tartaric acidity remains present. A small amount of rain last week has certainly helped and only in a few particularly dry corners has the foliage suffered.
Burgundy has mostly escaped the hottest weather this year – the canicules – and the nights have remained surprisingly fresh.
