Loire 2020: Winter
It is no secret that this is another record-breaking year weather-wise, with Météo France having recently confirmed the 2019-2020 winter to have been the warmest since records began at the start of the 20th century. Average temperature data taken from thirty weather stations by Météo France show night-time temperatures falling as low as 0ºC on only four occasions during the winter months of December, January and February. For much of the time the temperatures across France were well above average (and this is an average based on thirty warmer years, from 1980 to 2010). Looking specifically to the Loire Valley, temperatures were well above the norm, with some in the Central Vineyards reporting daytime highs more than 3.5ºC above average.
Winter was wet as well as mild, and heavy rain saw some rivers, such as the Layon, burst their banks. Although, to be fair, this is not really an uncommon occurrence in the region; I can recall one or two trips out to see vignerons in February, usually in the week of the Salon des Vins de Loire, when my route has been barred by extensive flooding. The winter rains were a key feature of the vintage though, as the reserves of groundwater were thoroughly replenished, and these would be vital to help the vines through what was going to be a very warm and dry summer.
Spring
Traditionally vines begin to show signs of life in spring, but the 2020 vintage was not one to give any heed to traditional dates. Budburst came earliest in the Nantais, as you would expect, with the Lieubeau family reporting the bursting forth of the tender new leaves around March 15th, five days before the spring equinox. This was incredibly early, coming about three weeks ahead of schedule, and technically it was budburst in winter rather than spring.
