Harvest Starts at Terres Dorées in the Beaujolais! Jean-Paul Brun reports by Telephone on September 19, 2005 We started picking in Charnay today. I’m optimistic and confident. We have a beautiful harvest in front of us. I’d take a growning season like this any year. Everything went well, we had less to do, less corrections to make in the vineyards than we normally have. The vines look magnificent. The summer had lots of sun and dryness. I was never that concerned about the vines being overstressed, by the dry weather but the small rains we had at the beginning of September and last week were perfect. They refreshed the vines and reaccelerated the maturation. The Gamay we picked today was about 12 degrees with good acidity. They yields are low and correct. We’re waiting to pick the Chardonnay as I’d like to have some noble rot. The weather report predicts good weather through the next seven days. That can always change, but we might be on the verge of a great year.. Many of my colleagues are in too much of a rush. Most of Charnay has already stopped picking and I’m just starting. They get into a mind frame that they are making Nouveau and the point is to rush out there, pick the grapes, get the vinifications going and pump out the Nouveau. Even if the grapes are not yet ripe. It’s a shame. I’m completely confident. Putain |