We are officially halfway through summer. As I’m sure everyone reading this is aware, it has been an unbearably hot and dry summer across Western Europe - and the Loire Valley has been no exception. The oppressive heatwave that persisted at the end of June was followed up about a week later by another heatwave that saw temperatures push upwards of 40C again, though for only four days this time rather than seven. There has also been no rain. Thursday morning, for the first time since the end of May, some rain fell across the region. The vignerons I have spoken with have said anywhere from 3mm to 7mm fell in the Central Loire. Not a lot in the grand scheme of things, but still welcomed nonetheless.
The extreme heat and drought stopped the physiological development of the vines for a period of time, blocking véraison from kicking off, which has only just started in recent days in most communes and appellations. All of the early progress observed at the beginning of June has since evapora…