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Chablis is becoming a scarce commodity due to the small harvest in 2021. Due to unfavourable weather conditions with frost, hail, and mildew infestation, yields are currently estimated at 25 hectolitres per hectare, which would mean a harvest volume of 150,000 to 170,000 hectolitres. The normal production potential of the French region is twice as high, up to 340,000 hectolitres. Adrien Michaut, president of the Chablis producers' organisation, says: "The yields are among the worst we have ever seen. In 2016, production was low, but there were stocks. This year, the stocks are also empty." In addition, he says, demand for Chablis has increased by 20 per cent since the beginning of the year compared to 2019, which was before the covid pandemic. Therefore, allocations to traders would be discussed.
As a result of these market conditions, starting prices have doubled in the meantime: 1,200 euros per hectolitre are currently paid for must, after 550 to 600 euros last year. Broker Fabien Remondet emphasises that "the first sales are difficult to assess due to the lack of large volumes. The market is under pressure, but people are waiting to see what happens. Until the official harvest figures are published on 10 December, there are no reliable trends.".
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(al /source: vitisphere.com; photo: wikimedia commons, Peter)