France’s Champagne growers association, CIVC, has warned that severe frosts earlier this month could lead to 50% of vines being lost.
Temperatures fell to between -6 degrees C and -11 degrees C on several nights in the first half of April, in one case on consecutive nights and the CIVC says the cold snap is among the worst in the past 70 years.
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Every vineyard in the region has been affected to varying degrees with the Chardonnay vine appearing to be the hardest hit with losses estimated at 80 % or more. The Pinot Noir has also recorded heavy losses.
The most precocious vines have fared better but even here the destruction rate has reached 30 to 40%.
