I’m waiting for more substantiated reports – i.e. in terms of ‘actual damage’ – but in the early evening yesterday, hail visited many parts of the Côte d’Or.
The hail was relatively short-lived, being quickly replaced by heavy rain – but the storm was violent and, while it lasted, the size of the hail was ‘considerable’. The perfect illustration (right) comes from a friend who lives in Beaune.
I’ll update this post during the day as more news filters through. “Hopefully it is less sad that it first looks” was my guarded response, but based on two vigneron’s responses, hardly so in the Côte de Beaune which was hit pretty hard. Pinot noir in Volnay, Pommard and Monthélie have losses of up-to 50% (the damaged grapes are already turning brown) – the worst in the flat of the land – yet some vines have hardly been touched. Here’s an example in Volnay Caillerets – to add insult to injury, Saturday was the annual ‘Elegance de Volnay’ in the village…
After a 1st tour in the vineyards of Pommard & Beaune after the 2 hailstorms: damages =50% (so far…) Vintage 2012 will be rare!
— Caroline PARENT GROS (@cparentgros) June 30, 2012
https://twitter.com/Patrick_Essa/status/219524455368638466
https://twitter.com/Patrick_Essa/status/219525992652345345
https://twitter.com/Patrick_Essa/status/219526573878022145
https://twitter.com/Patrick_Essa/status/219527485442895873
There are 2 responses to “hail in the côtes”
Hi Bill
Antonio Galloni also tweeted it early yesterday, apparently he was in Beaune:
Antonio Galloni @AntonioGalloni
Beaune – first hailstorn was light and fast, second lasted approx. 3 mins, much more violent, hopefully only in center of town
11:34 AM – 30 Jun 12 via TweetDeck · Details
Hi Alex – yep I heard the same from somebody in Beaune, but less than 1 hour later, Volnay and Meursault was taking a battering. I’ve seen very depressing pictures of leaves and bunches on the ground, the remaining bunches on the vines showing clear damage.
Hi Bill
I asked some strategically placed producers what they are seeing in the vines:
Capitain-Gagnerot in Ladoix ‘Sur Corton le drame n’est pas visible si l’on ne s’approche pas, mais à l’examen, les grappes ont bien été touchées, et il y aura donc de gros foyers de pourriture si on ne traite pas rapidement et régulièrement. On se demande comment feront ceux qui sont en bio, car l’année est vraiment difficile. Croisons les doigts!’
Pierre Thibert in Corgoloin ‘Rien de grave dans nos vignes, merci.’
Michel Arcelain in Pommard ‘Nous avons bien eu un orage de grêle samedi soir mais les dégâts son limités,il faut attendre encore pour évaluer les pertes,de 0 à 40% selon les vignes.Merci pour votre message.’
Thomas Lamy at Marchand-Tawse ‘Oui effectivement beaucoup de grêle samedi dernier en bourgogne mais la grele a toucher surtout la cote de Beaune, Volnay, pommard, Monthelie et Auxey-Duresses’
Vincent Rapet in Pernand ‘La récolte est faible en raison de la coulure due au mauvais temps de juin.
La grèle a frappé à beaune 20% , volnay pommard , un peu partout mais beaucoup moins Pernand, Aloxe
C’est une année humide !!
Dennis
A bit more here:
http://www.bienpublic.com/cote-d-or/2012/07/04/l-orage-de-grele-a-fait-plus-de-degats