A warmer & sunnier than average March leading to slightly earlier Budburst for most varieties, followed by a cooler second half of April. A devastating air frost on the night of the 26th April, destroyed up to 80% of new growth, with the highest proportion of damage on the early bud-break varieties. Vineyard thermometers showed temperatures as low as -5.8C. However secondary growth looked promising with a hot June & July, unfortunately August, September & October turned out to be cool and wet, slowing down the ripening period and providing ideal conditions for Peronospora (Downy) & Botrytis. Oidium (Powdery), although worse than last year, was not really a serious problem. August & September gave us a total of almost 250mm of rain, with precipitation at least once every 24 hours. A new problem, the fruit fly – Spotted Wing Drosophila suzukii (SWD) also gave us a major problem around harvest, causing serious damage to red varieties, particularly the Acolon. One to watch out for next year. Overall, a very tricky year !
