The 2016 grape harvest

Harvesting has finally ended at all of our estates.
Throughout 2016, our vines were really put to the test with frost at the end of April, a very damp May and June then drought in July and August.

After a particularly mild winter and an early start to the growing season, frost at the end of April had a devastating impact on most of our vineyards, with the exception of Sancerre. Losses are fairly substantial in Coteaux du Giennois where yields did not exceed 10 hectolitres/hectare. In Pouilly-sur-Loire, one third of the crop and two thirds in Touraine were wiped out. We had not witnessed a climatic incident on this scale since the 1991 vintage.

Sparse rainfall in September was extremely beneficial after a very dry summer when our youngest vines were particularly affected. However, the upside was that the crop was extremely healthy and of a high standard, both for the whites and the reds. Wines from the 2016 vintage will probably be along the same lines as the previous vintage, namely round and fruity with a measure of freshness.

Obviously, we are very much looking forward to tasting them and sharing the outcome with you in a few months’ time...
We thank you for your trust and wish you many happy moments tasting our wines as the year comes to an end and over the coming year.