South-east France received a year's worth of rain in 24 hours on 9 September, resulting in loss of life and much tragedy, disorder and mud. The area round Nîmes was particularly badly affected, but so were the vineyards of the southern Rhône to judge from this eyewitness account written yesterday on 10 September.

It would seem that Mother Nature has withdrawn her favours from the Rhône this year - Châteauneuf was hit with 500mm of water yesterday and today, when they really want the mistral to blow, it is the calmest I have ever seen it here. Parts of the Tavel vineyard were literally carried away (although I don't suppose this will make headline news) and the Rhône is still rising.

Buy those 2000s now!