Cerdon. Winegrowers fear a wave of frost “catastrophic for the vines”

As in all agricultural sectors, wine growers live to the rhythm of the seasons, and have no other choice but to adapt to the vagaries of the weather. And like all professionals, they carefully monitor the weather forecast at all times of the day.

“Not without impact on the 2024 harvest”

The winter that has just taken has been mild, with lots of water and very few negative temperatures. However, the consequences today are an early budburst, approximately three weeks in advance. Budburst generally takes place with the arrival of spring, and marks the end of winter rest, the vegetative awakening of the vine.

The buds bloomed with the appearance of the clusters. Nicolas Mazzuchelli, winegrower and producer of Cerdon AOC ancestral method, specifies: “In this term, we become dependent on climatic variations, with the fear of periods of frost which would then be catastrophic for the vines. The emerging buds would be directly impacted, which would not be without impact on the 2024 harvest.”

Mildew, prevention is better than cure

Another natural phenomenon which is the subject of all attention: mildew. “Water and greater heat are ideal conditions for the development of fungi,” adds this winegrower. Even though the appearance of mildew, a fungus, is rare during this period, some have started treating the vines as a preventative measure. »

Winegrowers are busy maintaining the soil

Using a rotary tiller helps clear the soil of weeds. In addition, grape harvesting keeps those involved in the vineyard busy. This is an operation consisting of freeing the vine branches from the branches and removing the shoots on the trunk. At the same time, trellising is on the program, in other words, attaching the vine stems to their structure in order to increase yields by ensuring aeration of the vines.

It is currently impossible to estimate the quality and quantity of the 2024 production. To do this, we will have to wait for the first flowerings. “From this stage, we count around 100 days to have an estimate of the harvest date,” explains Nicolas. In the event of a period of extreme heat, flowering could occur earlier, but in the event of frost, the consequences would be catastrophic. »