SOGGY VINEYARDS

RAIN
KEEPS FALLING IN FRANCE.
The torrential rain afflicting northern Europe has left
French vineyards at risk of losing much of the 2OO7 vintage
from rot and mildew, with Bordeaux one of the worst-hit
regions standing to lose 9O% of its crop. According to the
Bordeaux Met Office, six inches of rain fell in May, over
two inches in June, and July saw about the same. Certain
regions, such as Lesparre Medoc and Premieres Cotes de Blaye
received up to four inches in June. The damp, combined with
intermittent days of warm, sunny weather, created ideal
conditions for mildew, a fungal parasite which started in
the leaves, moved to the sap and has since spread to the
grapes. Once brown rot appears on the grapes, there is very
little anyone can do. The southern Graves, where there are
high levels of humidity, has been worst affected with a few
vineyards losing virtually their entire crop, but the
problem is being seen all over Bordeaux, especially
affecting the merlot and semillon grapes. Problems have also
been reported in Beaujolais, the Loire and the Rhone valley.
Conversely, Australia is suffering through a devastating
drought that has significantly affected crop output. As the
grape shortage grows prices are expected to rise heralding
an end to the days of bargain Australian wines. Global
warming rears its ugly head again.