Reports from Provence are suggesting that conditions have been excellent during the 2019 ‘vendange’, with both the grapes and vines in good health. There was some cause for concern during July and August with scorching temperatures as high as 44.3oC in Provence; the highest ever recorded temperature in the region. Fortunately, the appellations permitted vigneron to irrigate their vineyards during this extreme heat which helped counteract any serious negative effects to the vines.
The president of the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins de Provence (CIVP), Jean-Jacques Bréban, has expressed that he is “happy with the quality” and he expects a vintage full of character and fruit due to the smaller than usual grapes. The small grape size will increase the skin-to-juice ratio and therefore transfer more concentrated aromas to the wine during maceration.
Although the 2019 vintage is expected to be an excellent one in terms of quality, once again Provence has suffered from extreme weather conditions. The intense heat has taken its toll on the region’s yields, despite the irrigation allowance by the INAO. Early predictions are suggesting that volumes to be down on an average year by approximately -9%. While these figures are not as worrying as the record-breaking low yields of 2017, overall it has been a difficult year for growers in the South-East of France.
For more information about our wines or to know more about the 2019 vintage please get in touch with the team at Bijou Wine.
