Southern Rhone : "Perfect sanitary state and low threat of cryptogenic diseases"

Today Famille Perrin has made a commentary on their Facebook Page about what is happening, at this stage, in their vineyards located in the South of Rhone Valley.

“As the temperature today rises to reach near to 35°C again (95°F), the latest meteorological data clearly indicate that spring and the beginning of summer 2012 is on par with the past three years, and particularly with 2010. The southern Rhône Valley benefits from weather conditions which can be qualified as “exceptional” when compared to the rest of France which suffered from too little heat and too much rain.”

“During the period of time which serves as reference (beginning of April to the end of July), average temperatures reach 13°C at the lower end of the scale (55°F) and 24.7°C at the higher end (76°F). Over the past two months, only 52mm of rain fell on the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation area, as the sun shone for 1150 hours over a period of 4 months – two figures reminiscent of the 2010 conditions.”

“In the vineyards, this means a perfect sanitary state and low –if any- threat of cryptogenic diseases. The grapes are loose and spaced out, 80% of the syrah grapes have already changed colours and the other grape vintages are also reaching the stage of veraison. Yields seem to be around 32/33 hl per hectare, ie slightly less than the maximum set by the production rules of the appellation (35 hl/hectare). These remain among the lowest in France in the category of still wines.”