The severe frost episode of the last few nights caused "
at least 50%
" of damage to the vines of Burgundy, according to a still very rough first estimate from the president of the inter-profession.
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"
We have at least 50% damage,
" François Labet, president of the Interprofessional Bureau of Burgundy Wines (BIVB), told AFP.
“
The most advanced vines, that is to say the Chardonnay (white grape variety), are strongly affected.
Pinot noir (red) was further behind in terms of advancement so it is potentially less affected,
”he added.
“
It could be worse than 2016
”, when the region's vines were affected by up to 70% depending on the area.
“
In 2016, we only had a blizzard.
This time, we had three nights of severe frost and, on the last night, we had used up our cartridges of candles
”, which allow the temperatures to warm up a little at the foot of the vines, he explains.
“
Worse than 2016
” according to the Hospices de Beaune
In the prestigious vines of the Hospices de Beaune (Côte d'Or), we find the same alarming constant.
"
There is a fairly significant extent of damage,
"
says
Ludivine Griveau, manager of the 60 ha of vines at the Hospices.
“
I have the impression that it's worse than 2016
”, a vintage when the harvest was cut by 35-40% at the Hospices, she assesses.
“
In 2016, the frost hit more per area.
This time, the cold snap fell on everyone
, ”she warns.
We feel discouragement.
There are some who are fed up with being a winegrower,
”according to Ludivine Griveau, stressing that the average cost of installing candles is 2,500 euros per hectare.
"
Many areas are ready to deploy these means but when, opposite, we have no result ...
"
This new episode of frost, which is far from being the first in Burgundy, should in any case push the winegrowers to "
a global and collective reflection
".
“
We are talking about frost in April and in June we will talk about drought!
We have to change everything, modify our production conditions quickly enough, and work on less precocious grape clones
, ”says Ludivine Griveau.
Read also: In Alsace, "candles" to protect orchards from frost
François Labet, from the inter-professional organization, also calls for a more lasting solution.
The agricultural disaster regime, activated by the government, is thus limited because it is "
very a posteriori
".
"
What interests us is the a priori: we should rather tackle the problem than solve it a posteriori
".
