. Our events
Concours International du Gamay 2012
An avalanche of rewards for Terroirs & Talents.
January turned out to be a golden month with a "grande médaille d'or" for our MAV Cuvée de la Lure 2009
and a "médaille d'or" for our Brouilly Tradition 2009, both from Chateau de la Terrière.
May the rest of the year reserve us similar surprises !!!
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. Vintage 2011
State of the Vineyards
Spring started early with extreme warmth and drought in April and May. As a result the budding was very early. The ripening was even slowed down early July as a consequence of a lack of water. The grapes remained small and many feared a tiny and very early crop.
But rain showers started to fall by mid-July, providing relief among the growers. There had been no thunderstorms at all, which is extremely rare in Beaujolais in mid-Summer. The second half of July was rainy and rather cold for the season: the coldest since 1980! Hence the growth of the vines was slowed down. In spite of the month of July, 2011 remains a very dry year with a number of sunshine hours significantly above average.
The month of August was very mixed, alternating fresh periods and scorching temperatures. Rainfall in August was below average years.
In Beaujolais harvest started on August 25th at Chateau de la Terrière and Chateau des Maladrets, both located in earlier ripening districts. A few days later, on July 29th, it started at Domaine Romy and Domaine de Boischampt. We can say that 2011 is an early vintage, but not exceptionally early.
The grapes are very healthy, especially in the early ripening zones, showing little grapes with thick skins. They permit waiting for optimum maturity. The yields are average or even below. Natural sugar degrees are high, often between 12 and 12.5%: the same levels as in 2005 or 2009, but way higher than in 2007, 2008, and even 2010.
Acidity is at the low end, slightly less than in 2005 or 2009 but with a comparable pH. Colour potential is very high, comparable to 2005.
After 2009 and 2010 we should be heading for a third consecutive great vintage.
Harvest in the Maconnais has started on August 27th, which is extremely early for this area. After a few vintages (especially 2010) which were struck severely by hail, Chardonnay was generous this year. The grapes are sound, and in some districts yields are important. The patience of confident and talented growers will be rewarded.
The Nouveau Market
Another 500 hectares have been uprooted this year : the total production of Beaujolais and Beaujolais-Villages will again decrease this year.
The authorized production of Nouveau has been maintained at last year’s level for Beaujolais-Villages (25 hectoliters per hectare), and has been slightly increased to 27hl/ha for Beaujolais: in 2010 the production of regular Nouveau was short of demand.
The early harvest permits us to produce quality without disturbing the natural cycle.
Bertrand DE CUYPER
Newsletter september 2011
newsletter July 2010