Loire 2023: The Harvest
As is usual harvest began with the early-ripening varieties, which means Melon de Bourgogne and Sauvignon Blanc, thereby kicking off in Muscadet and then Sancerre before the other regions. There then follow the later ripeners, principally Chenin Blanc in white of course (alongside all the other accessory whites), and all the red varieties, from Gamay through to Cabernet Sauvignon.
Commencing in September, and running into October, the timing of the harvest in 2023 was much more in keeping with recent norms, unlike 2022 when the persistent warm and dry conditions had resulted in the commencement of picking in mid-August.
Most growers in Muscadet started picking within a few days of the rain that fell on the 1st, which in practice meant the first Monday of the subsequent week, which was the 4th. This also happened to be the warmest day of the month, with a peak temperature of 34.3ºC (which, notably, was higher than the peak temperature recorded during July), and the weather remained remarkably warm for at least two weeks. Some reported even higher temperatures, and there was no more rain other than a 4.6 mm smattering on the 10th, after which it was dry again until the 16th. The vignerons thus brought in fruit that was rich, ripe and in excellent sanitary condition. The yields declined a little during this warm and dry period, as the fruit dehydrated slightly, but this was still a benevolent vintage, thanks to that strong flowering.
