The year 2024 was particularly challenging for French winemakers, facing extreme weather conditions. Work in the vineyards required increased efforts to tackle multiple challenges, such as frost, heavy rains, and the proliferation of downy mildew.
Nevertheless, hope for a good vintage persists thanks to the sunshine in August and the temperature differences between morning and afternoon, which favor the ripening of grapes.
It is now time to assess this harvest and gather the first impressions « on the ground » from our cellar master, Florian.
2024 : cliamte conditions
For this vintage, the main challenge faced by winemakers was rainfall, both in terms of quantity and frequency. During the growing season, it rained on average every two days. This vintage, although it started very early, proved to be less sunny. It ranks among the earliest vintages in the last sixty years, while the harvest took place on the usual dates, around the end of September.
The very mild temperatures of winter and late March favored this early start, while also making the vineyard particularly vulnerable to late frost.
What is your assessment of this campaign?
Florian : « I have a mixed assessment. The positive side is that the yield is satisfactory, with good volumes harvested. However, qualitatively, we are below previous years. Indeed, we had to harvest a bit earlier due to rot, to avoid significant aromatic losses«
2024 : high pressure from downy mildew
The beginning of the campaign was marked by very humid conditions, practically until veraison in early August, but also at every key stage of vine development: bud break, fruit set, etc. This humidity was particularly favorable to the spread of downy mildew, a formidable fungal disease that thrives in such conditions.
The impact of downy mildew is twofold: on one hand, it leads to a significant reduction in yields, and on the other, it increases the frequency of necessary treatments. Thus, faced with this increased pressure, we are forced to intensify treatments while harvesting less.
Was this year particularly stressful? Did you have to make difficult decisions?
Florian : « Stressful, yes in a way, because we had to carry out additional treatments due to frequent rains. Despite this, the pressure from downy mildew was very strong. Given the yields, we are satisfied with the work done, but it has not been without tension. This year, we had to make decisions about treatment dates due to the very unstable and unpredictable weather. Additionally, we had to choose which products to use, considering their effectiveness and cost, as well as the right timing for application. »
What is the estimated volume of crop losses due to high pressure from downy mildew?
Florian : « In reality, it is the millerandage (a condition where grapes in a bunch are uneven in size) that has impacted the grapes more than downy mildew this year. At this stage, it is still difficult to estimate the volume of losses precisely, as when the berries of a bunch are affected by downy mildew, the entire bunch is lost. However, in the case of millerandage, the unaffected berries from the same bunch can be saved. To give a concrete example, on one of our plots most affected by millerandage, we estimate a loss of 35 to 50%. »
2024 : wine profile
We are returning to more classic wines. Indeed, previous vintages were more marked by sweetness, producing dense wines with ripe fruit aromas. This year, the grapes have a nice balance in terms of acidity, with present aromatics; this helps to enhance the fresh and fruity side.
What wine profile can we expect for this 2024 vintage?
Florian : « We can expect a less structured vintage, but very fruity, with a nice openness and more pronounced acidity. It will be a lighter wine than previous vintages, as we observe in the vats rapid macerations and shorter extraction of aromas and tannins, due to the low sugar content of the grapes.«
What lessons can be drawn from such a campaign?
Florian : » We had rainy weather that brought its share of diseases. That’s how the vintage is, and we cannot do anything against it. Unpredictable weather conditions, like rain and humidity, can significantly impact the quality of the grapes. We have learned to adapt quickly to these changes. We have also implemented the necessary means to treat effectively, a lesson learned from the previous year.
Although we could have waited a bit longer before harvesting to try to achieve better maturity, this would have posed a risk of losing volume due to weather conditions. We made the best decision possible. Now, the work in the cellar will be important as it will help enhance the quality of the wine. We are and will always be subject to the climate, but it is important to stay positive and show resilience each year. »
As you can see, the year 2024 has proven rich in challenges and concerns. It is estimated that French wine production could see a significant drop of 13%, a situation that worries winemakers. The climatic conditions, marked by extreme events such as late frosts, prolonged droughts, and heavy rains, have strongly impacted the vineyards. In many wine regions, the harvests have been arduous, requiring colossal efforts to collect grapes in satisfactory quantity and quality.
However, the passion and determination of winemakers remain unwavering. Aware of the challenges they face, they strive each year to reinvent themselves. To address climate changes sustainably, winemakers continually educate themselves to integrate scientific advances and new viticultural techniques while highlighting the traditional know-how that enriches French terroirs.
This resilience is also evident in a constant search for quality. Winemakers double their efforts to produce wines that, despite climatic challenges, remain true to their terroir and the identity of their appellations. By adapting to new realities, they preserve not only their heritage but also the future of French viticulture.
