A late cold snap is causing concern for grape growers across France.
Vignerons across the country, from Champagne in the north to the Var in the south, fear frosts causing damage to vines that are well ahead of schedule in their development, wine news service Vitisphere reported.
Vines emerged from dormancy two or three weeks ahead of schedule, making the icy conditions serious concern as growers used heated pots to prevent frost from destroying the buds on their vines.
"We're going to have to endure the frost and wait to assess the damage to the vines," industry news hub Vitisphere reported growers as saying.
"Whether it's tonight or the nights to come, the risk of frost is confirmed in French vineyards," said Sébastien Debuisson, R&D Director of the Comité Champagne.
"For many areas, the question isn't whether it will freeze, but how severe it will be."
There are forecasts for this week of -3 to -4°C in sheltered areas in Champagne. Growers in Chablis reported even lower overnight temperatures late last week.
"A cold air mass is common at this time of year," Debuisson said.
"What is unusual is the exceptional advancement of the vines: between 15 days and three weeks, especially for chardonnay but also for pinot noir, depending on the sector."
Image: Vineyards in Quincy, Vitisphere
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