Loire 2019: The Harvest
As harvest approached the vignerons were naturally concerned regarding potential low yields, and perhaps also a delay in maturation, and thus many were relieved to see some rain arrive towards the end of the month of September. It came perhaps too later for some (the early-ripening varieties having largely been picked), but for others (those waiting to pick later-ripening varieties) it was manna from heaven.
Early Ripeners
The early ripeners are principally Melon de Bourgogne and Sauvignon Blanc, and thus some of the first to harvest are those in Muscadet, the corners of Touraine where Sauvignon Blanc is planted, and of course the various appellations of the Central Vineyards.
The harvest in Muscadet started early, although not the earliest harvest ever, which for some domaines locally was as recently as 2017. Vincent Lieubeau of Famille Lieubeau began the picking on September 9th, and found the harvest conditions were good although it was still a tiring affair. “It was a relatively easy harvest, as the weather was still dry. But 2018 was easier, as everyone in a good mood, as we had historically high yields and good quality too. In 2019 everybody was tired as we picked a small crop after the frost, and we were a long time in the vineyard before we filled the bins. And I didn’t have so many press cycles to do back at the cellars”. The yield here was about 50% to 60% of normal, the loss predominantly down to the frost.
At Domaine du Haut Bourg Nicolas Choblet also began on September 9th, and he made the most of the dry harvest, finishing up the day before the rains arrived. He lost 70% of the crop on his Melon de Bourgogne and Folle Blanche vineyards, these varieties budding earlier than his IGP varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, where the losses were minimal. Indeed this was the story throughout the region, with everybody reporting some loss to frost (ranging from 30% up to about 50%) but with good conditions thereafter, and a harvest conducted under good conditions.
