Champagne growers are rejoicing as they harvest an outstanding 2018 vintage following two years of hardship.
The 2018 harvest began in Champagne today, August 21, and is being described as “exceptional” both in quality and due to its early arrival.
It's a welcome turn around from May, when violent hail storms wiped out the equivalent of eight million bottles of grapes and roughly €125 million from the economy in the Champagne region.
However higher spring temperatures than average led to successful flowering in June and consistently good weather in July and August revived their hopes.
At the end of last month the Comité Champagne revealed that the upper yield had been set at 10,800kg/ha.
“This volume satisfies the needs of the Champagne producers while maintaining a globally balanced stock level,” Comité Champagne said.
The harvest is about two weeks earlier than usual.
"The remarkable condition of the grapes and ideal weather conditions made starting the harvest early an easy decision," the Comite Champagne noted.
The group added that the ideal weather conditions of the spring and summer promise an "excellent 2018 vintage".
“This harvest is expected to be generous in volume and, to date, of good quality. It should provide the means to restock levels of reserve wines, widely used in the last two years.”
The reserves are needed to combat a run of poor weather in recent years, including devastating frosts and summer storms that caused grape rot.
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