I have just spent two weeks in the Languedoc and can only say that this has been the strangest summer we have known in the 19 years we have been coming here. Through various family members and friends I have been monitoring the weather throughout. There has been no prolonged hot period (although I see that some American guests who stayed in our house in June seem to have bought some fans for the bedrooms) and we even needed blankets at night – unheard of in previous Augusts. The whole of last week was exceptionally wet – but not the usual dramatic and isolated storms, more the sort of on-off showers so familiar to us Londoners.
Charles and Ruth Simpson of Domaine Sainte Rose in Servian sent this report on a difficult summer in the Languedoc on Aug 22:
This year there has been much talk of climate change and strange weather throughout Europe. At Sainte Rose we too have had our share of strange climate conditions, not least as we began the countdown to harvest.
We had a mild winter and then a cool spring with rain. We waited and waited for summer … then two freak storms in early June provided one third of our annual precipitation in two hours! Would we be affected by the disastrous mildew and oidium ruining vineyards around France? Mercifully not.
Finally summer arrived, but it has not been the scorching heat wave of previous years or that everyone was expecting. Strong north winds have moderated the temperature and nights have been cool. As we approached the harvest the weather was changeable, with a few gloomy days of high humidity early in August and small amounts of rain. The north wind returned however and has kept the fruit dry and the canopy aerated.
With three out of our four white varieties now harvested, the fruit has come in clean and healthy. Two of these (Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat) have been new varieties for Sainte Rose, the first crop from new planting in March 2005.
First was Sauvignon Blanc, taken early to ensure fresh, lively fruit with true varietal character. Next was an early lot of Chardonnay, with excellent acidity followed by a second lot taken a few days later with a bit more body to go into barrels. The new Muscat from the tiny parcel in front of the house has gone straight into barrels for fermentation. Not much juice, but rich and hugely aromatic.
Hot on the heels of these whites will be the Merlot and then the final white, Roussanne. The reds are advanced this year and we should have harvested the Merlot, if not the Syrah, by the end of August!
Next month I'll be publishing tasting notes on nearly 200 wines, many real bargains, from the south of France – JR.
Next month I'll be publishing tasting notes on nearly 200 wines, many real bargains, from the south of France – JR.
