Loire 2017: The Harvest
The early predictions were that the volume brought in at harvest time would be up by 7% compared to the 2016 harvest, and this turned out to be correct; 2017 was indeed a bigger harvest that 2016. Having said that, as I pointed out earlier in this vintage report, both vintages have seen significantly lower volumes then would be harvested in a ‘normal’ non-frosted vintage.
Of course, while I will continue to make reference to frost, summer heat, and yields, what really matters to us drinkers is the quality of the wines. Here, and in the coming region-by-region reports, I will ascertain where the quality lies in this vintage.
Early Ripeners
The first of the two major early ripeners planted in the Loire Valley is of course Melon de Bourgogne. The ban des vendanges in Muscadet was declared on 30th August, and of course any harvest that begins in August (even if it is only just in August) is an early one. This early call to pick is an indicator of the warmth of the vintage. For comparisons, picking in 2003 began on 19th August, while 2011 (an even warmer year than 2003, although few remember it as such) was 24th August.
