July in the Vineyards |

July in the Vineyards

July in the vineyards 650x550

The Vines
There are a large number of very tired looking vignerons out there. We had one week of good sunny weather, from 16th to 23rd July, but apart from that the weather has been erratic with quite heavy rainfall at times. The conscientious vignerons have had to devote much more time in the vines than usual – despite there already being a short crop after the frost. But it is paying off for those prepared to expend the effort. There is threat from mildew, oidium and the start of some rot. The good guys are on top of it though, at the expense of extended man hours.
There are just now the very first signs of veraison, when the grapes start to change colour. Most producers are still expecting to start picking between 15th and 20th September.

Travel and Tastings
It has been a busy month for me! I enjoyed a rare trip to Bordeaux in the first week of the month, with the Académie Internationale du Vin, enjoying some really beautiful wines (as well as learning!) to remind me that single variety wines are not the only option.
As soon as I was back it was straight into the long delayed White Burgfest tasting of the 2017 vintage, already reported on. Shortly afterwards it was back up to Chablis, to continue tasting the embryonic 2020 vintage (more encouraging than I suspected at the outset) and then a few days ago back down to the Beaujolais for some filming with the 67 Pall Mall TV team.

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Reports
During August I shall continue to catch up on reports to cover the visits to producers I made during the spring months – lots to talk about including some exciting discoveries!
Keep in touch also by following my adventures in the vineyards on the 67 Pall Mall TV stream.

Developments
Evenstad Estates, who already own Château de la Crée in Santenay, have bought the Domaine Christian Confuron & Fils in the Côte de Nuits: Bonnes Mares, Clos de Vougeot and premiers crus in Nuits-St-Georges and Chambolle-Musigny.
Various other vineyard transactions are being talked about and we shall shortly hear news of an interesting vineyard in Chassagne-Montrachet which is changing hands.

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