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In the severe wildfires in the south and southwest of France, at least 150 hectares of vineyard areas have been destroyed or damaged so far. The number is likely to rise as not all damages have been recorded yet.
In Roussillon, the damage picture is already quite clear: In the major fire of Trévillach, around 146 to 150 hectares of vineyard areas were partially or completely destroyed by fire or heat. A total of more than 180 agricultural businesses are affected. In addition to burned vines, young plantings, irrigation lines, and electrical installations were also destroyed. Grapes on unburned parcels are most likely unusable due to ash, smoke, or extinguishing agents.
In the Var department near Toulon, there are still no concrete figures for damaged vineyards. The most severe destruction is in Pontevès and Taradeau. At Domaine La Mercadine (picture), 14 of the total 18 hectares of vineyard area are affected by fire and smoke. Already on July 19, vineyards of the cooperative Les Vignerons de Taradeau were affected, but exact details are not yet available. The Centre du Rosé in Vidauban warns of smoke phenols, which may only become noticeable during fermentation or aging. Ash, saline extinguishing water, and chemical fire protection agents can also impair the usability of the grapes. However, such damages are only to be feared locally.
The wildfire southwest of Bordeaux has been brought under control by the emergency services, including units of the German Bundeswehr. The flames reached within about ten kilometers of the outskirts of Bordeaux and the Pessac-Leognan appellation. No damages from wineries have been reported yet.
As early as mid-July, hailstorms and wildfires in several wine-growing regions of France damaged thousands of hectares of vineyard areas.
(al; picture: Domaine la Mercadine)
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