Loire Valley harvest underway, promising higher yields and excellent quality
The Loire Valley harvest is well under way, and is set to yield a “highly promising vintage” according to the Loire Valley Wines Council. Overall production is expected to exceed last year's volumes with an approximate total of 2.6 million hectolitres compared to 2017 when yields stood at 2.1 million hl.
The harvest started two weeks earlier than usual, with Loire producers picking their earliest grape varietals including Pinot Noir and Chardonnay destined for Crémant de Loire or Rosé de Loire in Anjou-Saumur and Touraine appellations on August 27th.
Meanwhile, picking for Gamay and Grolleau grapes in the Rosé d'Anjou and Rosé de Loire appellations started between September 3rd to 9th, while Chenin Blanc and the Cabernet grapes will see harvest commence on September 23rd.
Unlike 2017, the vines were spared from hail and frost this year, and the early maturity of the 2018 vintage was maintained thanks to this year’s long hot summer which saw the region receive around 600 to 625 hours of sunshine, around 30% higher than usual.
However, rain in June led to mildew attacks, though the disease was largely controlled by the know-how and vigilance of winegrowers, even if some farms have suffered significant crop losses.
Helping to determine the optimum date for harvest, Loire grape growers benefit from tools such as Prévimat, an online tool developed by Loire Valley Wine boards to predict the development of Cabernet Franc grape maturity for up to 14 days.
The Loire Valley has around 4,000 wineries, 170,000 acres of vineyards and 61 appellations of origin, making the region the third largest French winemaking area. Producing 380 million bottles per year – be they red, rosé or white; still or sparkling; dry or semi-dry, supple or sweet – the Loire Valley is France's leading producer of white wines and ranks second for rosés. The region as a whole export 68 million bottles every year to 157 export markets.