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Winegrowers and merchants in France's Rhône Valley began harvesting on Monday 22 August 2022, eight days earlier than in 2021. The year 2021 had marked a return to harvest dates close to normal. The 2022 vintage is distinguished by its earliness, but it does not represent a record.
Indeed, the drought affecting the appellations of the Rhone Valley and the high temperatures have caused an advance in maturity of about twenty days compared to last year, says Inter Rhone, the interprofession of Rhone Valley wines.
Climatic elements to remember for the wines of the Rhone Valley in 2022
After a very rainy October 2021, the following months all recorded significant rainfall deficits (from -53% to -97%). Winter temperatures remained very mild and spring saw a late cold snap between 1 and 5 April 2022. May was the warmest May since the beginning of the 20th century. The summer started with a stormy episode in June, giving the vines some respite. Between 1 July and 13 August, periods of very hot weather followed one another, without rain, on soils that were already short of water. In mid-August, more or less intense rainfall had a beneficial effect, allowing the vineyard to recharge its batteries and the grapes to continue their promising ripening curve.
ad (source & photo: Inter Rhône)