A Report On The 2021 Harvest In Burgundy And Its Place In The Global Market

  Probably the most prestigious vineyards and producers in Burgundy, like these of the Côte d’Or,  by no means have any drawback promoting each bottle they’ll produce, however the remainder of Burgundy—which has a variety that goes from Chablis to Beaujolais—should compete with the growing panoply of wines yearly within the world market. To seek out out concerning the 2021 harvest and the way issues are going usually within the Burgundy area I spoke to Frédèric Drouhin, President of the Bourgogne Wine Board (beneath). 

Are you able to give me a common total image of the 2021 harvest?

Harvesting primarily took off throughout Bourgogne between 18-20 September, after a making an attempt 12 months punctuated by difficult climate occasions. The Crémant de Bourgogne (glowing wines) began earlier. The very first grapes have been picked on September 8, however many of the producers began on the tenth.  Pinot Noir grapes have been prepared sooner than Chardonnay, which is uncommon. Chardonnay was delayed after the April frost. It took a couple of weeks earlier than the vines have been capable of resume their rising cycle.

  Sorting was typically obligatory and, as virtually all domains and négociants are very properly geared up, it was not a problem. Fermentations have begun fairly shortly, each for the whites and the reds, proving that the inhabitants of yeast was fairly energetic. At the moment devatting has begun and the primary tastings are constructive.

Was it a troublesome 12 months in different components of France’s vineyards?

Sure. Almost all wine areas in France suffered from the April frost. Some areas additionally suffered from rainfalls that provoked typically oïdium, mildew or hail. The French authorities declared the entire quantity of wine in France might be down 28 to 32% in 2021, however we don’t know the way a lot can be misplaced. We could have a primary concept in November. We are actually carrying a subject survey by amassing the outcomes of not less than 400 producers. On Nov. 21, on the Hospices de Beaune wine public sale press convention, we can give a primary estimation of our volumes. The ultimate figures can be obtainable in February 2022.

With world warming in vineyards, are you able to discern any impact on this 12 months’s harvest?

This 12 months, in case you depart apart the implications of the frost, probably not (we had the best month of July in 50 years!). Frost in April is sort of common in Bourgogne. The issue largely comes from the gentle winters. We have now seen a 1°C rise in common temperatures since 1987. Numerous research counsel that the expansion cycle of the vines has been occurring earlier since 1988. Flowering has occurred on common two weeks earlier since that date, in comparison with the interval 1961-1987. This explains why the frost in April is now a danger that we’ve got to concentrate on. Then again, this advance helps us get a superb maturity yearly. 

Was there a scarcity of solar and warmth to construct up the sugars?

Certainly, the typical month-to-month temperatures and common month-to-month sunshine have been below the traditional, not less than from early July to mid-August. Afterward, the final 2 weeks of August and first 2 weeks of September have been sunny, which helped full the maturity. This explains why we’re again to the normal delay of 100 days between flower and harvest (final 12 months, we have been extra round 90-92 days). We’re reaching regular degree of sugar and acidities (decrease than in recent times), which can happen of a typical Bourgogne classic, with beautiful freshness.

Are growing alcohol ranges in Bourgogne a priority sooner or later?

Till now, rising temperatures have been a bonus for Bourgogne wines. Bourgogne has a cool local weather, and, historically, we have been harvesting in October, with low degree of sugars (chaptalization was the annual rule then). Whatever the varietal, the worldwide warming has been enhancing stability by way of potential alcohol, acidity, and so forth. The 2 primary varietals of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are actually present in a lot hotter wine rising areas than ours, and the Bourgogne Wine Board is at present learning the conduct of those varietals in different hotter areas. Our goal is to determine how a lot these varietals are capable of adapt to a altering local weather, and thus anticipate what variations may happen. With the 2021 classic we’re again to a basic model with a stunning expression of fruitiness, stability, freshness, and decrease degree of alcohol.

 Are you able to inform me what the Cave de Status des Vins de Bourgogne is meant to perform?

The Cave de Status choice is now each a device and an actual showcase for Bourgogne wines. First, the choice course of could be very rigorous: Solely 12.85% of the samples have been chosen this 12 months (203 out of 1,580). This rigor is important. We (the Bourgogne Wine Board) will use them for all coaching, promotional, and advertising and marketing actions over the subsequent 12 months. These wines will remind folks how Bourgogne has a very in depth supply that goes far past a couple of iconic names. They need to signify all of the excellence of Bourgogne wines, regardless of the degree of AOC. 

The Fête des Vins de Chablis 2021 is coming quickly. Are you able to inform me about that occasion? 

Since its first version in 1949, the Fête des Vins de Chablis continues to evolve, however its success is at all times primarily based on a single notion: Conviviality! On 23 & 24 October, the city heart will as soon as once more be internet hosting a big selection of occasions that includes the vines of Chablis and the broader Grand Auxerrois area. The competition is organized by the Workplace du Chablis in partnership with the Bourgogne Wine Board.

     We’re awaiting 4,000 to five,000 guests. Every of them should buy the devoted Glass (6€): afterwards, all of the wine tastings are free. On Saturday, there’s the Marathon de Chablis; on Sunday morning, there’s a stroll within the vineyards, with departure each quarter-hour. In case you want, there can be a Bourguignon market all over the place within the streets with native merchandise. Forty producers will present their wines. The record can be obtainable mid-October.

     Everybody must present a “go sanitaire” proving vaccination or Covid-free standing. Then, you are able to do the walk-in with no masks.

 Are you able to inform me extra concerning the progress on La Cité des Vins et des Climats de Bourgogne (above)?

2021 marked the official launch of the three worksites in Mâcon, Beaune, and Chablis. The content material can be regularly augmented with opening dates set for 2022 and 2023.     The opposite main level of 2021 is the ultimate definition of title and picture: It is going to be recognized to the world as Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne. The notion of “Climat” now comes first, to remind the world the Bourgogne is the place the notion of terroir was pushed to its most. The three websites within the Cité des vins et des Climats de Bourgogne community every have completely different dimensions and timescales, with work starting at completely different factors throughout 2021. This was preceded by the symbolic laying of the primary stone within the presence of associate public our bodies. Relating to content material, work has been accelerating because the definition of the content material and providers proposed in every location is widened out, from customer trails to wine-themed actions, one-off occasions, shops, wine-themed ideas and recommendation, non-public hires, a discovery bar, workshops, tasting courses and coaching from the École des Vins de Bourgogne.

How is the worldwide marketplace for the high-end crus like DRC?

The Grands Crus represents lower than 2% of the entire manufacturing of Bourgogne. They signify the perfect of what Les Climats can supply. The previous vintages have been actually superb, providing wines that might be drunk early however have additionally an important ageing capability. The demand for these Grands Crus is growing yearly and, even when the manufacturing doesn’t match the demand, many negotiants and domains attempt to diffuse the Grands Crus in lots of markets and prospects as doable. 

  As an entire, Bourgogne wines are performing very properly this 12 months. Within the first seven months of 2021, the exports are up 24.8% (variety of bottles) and up 34.3% (income). Figures are even higher than in 2019, which was a superb 12 months.

 2020 was additionally a superb 12 months, regardless of the pandemic. The amount of Bourgogne wines exported maintained its progress in 2020, near the equal of 90 million 75cl bottles (down 0.3% on 2019). Export income remained above one billion euros, regardless of a slight drop of 0.7% on 2019. However, in 2021, all of the teams of AOCs are performing properly. Regarding the high-end Premier and Grand Cru AOCs, the figures are superb:

         •        White Grand Cru in Côte de Beaune/ Côte de Nuits AOCs: up 203.6% in volumes and up 21.5% in worth

         •        Chablis Premier and Grand Cru AOCs: up 76% in volumes and up 47% in worth

         •        Purple Grand Cru AOCs in Côte de Nuits/Côte de Beaune: up 38% in quantity and up 28% in worth