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.
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%.
