on with harvesting

23.9.2008billn

weatherEven ‘nameplate’ domaines are starting to gird their loins and plan their first pickings – some are already picking. ‘My’ domaine starts on Thursday with Bourgogne Rouge – despite me not arriving until Saturday – they didn’t wait!

The weather is in a dry and bright window that is exactly what’s required to ripen the grapes, the fact that it’s a ‘late’ Autumnal cold outside means that rot is less rampant than previous years – of-course there’s time yet for anything to happen, but that northerly wind is exactly what the doctor ordered to help concentrate the grapes – much like 2002. Many grapes are anyway in need of picking – it’s already 105 days + since flowering. If the forecast turns bad, you will not be able to see the vines for people with secateurs!

I’m agnostic until I see the grapes (of-course), but I’m actually quite excited from a distance; that’s because I believe that pinot noir needs the highs and lows of temperature to bring out its full complexity – I’m just not sure if we had enough highs this year 😉

Leave a Reply to Mark GoughCancel reply

There are 3 responses to “on with harvesting”

  1. bmcq23rd September 2008 at 3:25 pmPermalinkReply

    That sounds great!

    Hopefully the damp of last month will only slightly plump the yield and there will be a continued dry and sunny spate.

    I’m waiting on the rest of my 2002s now since in the last taste, the D. de Perdrix Eschezeaux, was shut down.

    Over the course of the year, it will be interesting to see if prices continue to rise or whether there may be a mellowing.

    • bill nanson24th September 2008 at 9:07 amPermalinkReply

      @bmcq – Pricing’s always an emotive topic, so for a change I won’t comment 😉

      Re the harvest; it’s forecast to be dry and sunny through the weekend – I’ll be there from Saturday to Wednesday and whilst it doesn’t look like I’ll need a raincoat, it rather looks like I won’t be needing my shorts – as David Bowie would say ‘f, f, f, freezing…’

  2. Mark Gough24th September 2008 at 7:03 pmPermalinkReply

    Share your excitement Bill ! Following my first vendange in 06 at Duc de Magenta am setting off from Northern Engalnd tomorrow (Hull ferry & driving) to arrive late p.m. Friday in Morey S.D (thanks for the recent profile !). Promised Saturday start at ‘my’ domaine – Arlaud. Will be my first ‘hands on experience with Grand Cru vineyards. I was told a week or so ago to bring my wet weather gear but agree the forecast, initially, looks better than that. Bring it on ! The back is twingeing already !

  3. Mark Gough24th September 2008 at 8:21 pmPermalinkReply

    From Switzerland I guess ? Am envious, but quite enjoy the drive from the Channel coast & having the car has advantages for ‘repatriating’ the odd purchase :-). Compare vendange notes with you in due course? After the hassles of the last few days in the banking day job ‘escape’ to Burgundy – agricultural labour or not – will be bliss !

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