France 2011 - Languedoc-Roussillon

Harvest season has always been the moment of truth for the thousands of grape producers across France. Despite rather unusual weather throughout the summer, the Languedoc-Roussillon region has yielded an outstanding harvest, a sure sign of an excellent vintage!

Harvest of the century for the Roussillon region?

According to grape producers, the 2011 harvest will surely be a benchmark for the Roussillon region. "It's certainly the harvest of the century!" said Eric Aracil, Export Manager at the Conseil  Interprofessionnel des Vins du Roussillon (CIVR).

Favourable weather and ideal rain conditions, awaited for several years, have graced the region  since October 2010. A cold winter lasting through January gave way to a warm spring, with  temperatures rising in April. July proved colder and rainier than usual, while August was rather hot and relatively humid. During this period and in September, the tramontana, a dry wind, made its usual, extremely positive contribution.

A well-balanced growing period!

From bud to grape, the vegetative cycle underwent good conditions and began a week early. The ripening process, which was expected in late June, was postponed due to July's milder weather. The hailstorm of August 5 affected a thousand hectares stretching from the Aspres to the sea (including over 100 ha that were hit completely). Thankfully, the dry and hot weather that prevailed in the  following days dried off the grapes within the affected sectors without producing any mould. The first harvests were held as of August 8 and harvest season was in full swing in late August.

A "normal" harvest at long last

For a long time, already six seasons, grape producers hadn't had the fortune of seeing such full grapevines across the major Mediterranean vintages. Needless to say, producers of the Roussillon region let out a collective sigh of relief!

Overall, grape producers have done a good job in handling issues inherent to rainy years. The tramontana, with its alternate gusts starting in late August, proved to be an invaluable ally, along with September's sunny days and high temperatures. The first wines, vatted whites and rosés, turned some heads through their aromatic potential and balanced freshness, while the first vats of reds,  fermented from younger parcels or harvested early, featured good aromas and very pleasant tannins.

September's mild weather favoured the harvest of grapes destined for more concentrated reds and, of course, natural sweet wines. This bodes well for the production of very pleasant Muscat de Rivesaltes, Rivesaltes, Banyuls and Maury cuvées, fermented in comfortable conditions.  Furthermore, this year's Muscat d'Alexandrie vintage is particularly exceptional! As such, the harvest season ends under the best conditions this mid-October. Indeed, both vatted red wines and natural sweet wines already boast an excellent quality.

With its good volumes, as well as aromatic, well-balanced wines, 2011 will undoubtedly be a top vintage in the Roussillon region.

With the launch of the first early wines, consumer testing is now underway. It will no doubt yield positive results thanks to the Muscat de Noël in the next few weeks, but people are already talking about the harvest of the century!

Languedoc: September's exceptionally warm, dry and sunny weather sealed the

vintage's success!

Languedoc AOCs stand out particularly well this year. The 2011 vintage gained its excellence during September, when everything was just right... and when patience was finally rewarded.

A year in the Languedoc region:

Winter and its timely rainfalls

Throughout January, February and the first ten days of March, precipitations were particularly  carce. However, in mid-March, torrential rainfall prevailed for five consecutive days, breaking a departmental record set in 1970, with totals of 130-300 mm from the shoreline vineyard to the high townships. This rainfall replenished the water table at all levels across the terroirs. As a result, grapevines came in strong and fast starting March 20. Indeed, budbreak started 10 to 12 days earlier than in 2010, and this head start seems even more significant among later vintages.

Record-breaking spring

In the spring, the Languedoc region saw record temperatures. May was among the hottest months of the last 60 years. The grapevines' growing period kick started and flowering occurred an average of 13 days early. The first Chardonnay flowers appear in early May, with late vintages, like the  arignan, veritable lord of the realm, coming in up to 17 days earlier. Flowering happens quickly, fruit drop is rarely observed and production potential remains intact.

Smooth summer

The veraison and ripening process progressed slowly. June and July brought alternating period of  cold and warm weather, with cooler temperatures prevailing. Rainfall was spread out well throughout this period. Precipitations in early June -- between 45 and 65 mm, with the exception of Minervois and Biterrois, which had dryer weather -- were followed 40 days later by rainfall between mid- and late July. While said rain was a welcome event for grape producers, tourists were less than thrilled!

During the first 15 days of August, the warm, sunny days and cool nights turn heavier. Thunderstorms appear in mid-August, with rainwater accumulating up to a total of 50 mm from Biterrois to the Hauts Coteaux and Nord Hérault regions. However, the southern border of Aude is spared. The storm front finally subsides as the heat balance of June and July drops significantly.

Ideal harvest season

Thankfully, September was a dream month, with its sunny days, northern wind and cool nights. According to grape producers, this is one of the warmest and sunniest months they've ever known. Harvest conditions are ideal and the harvest itself is shaping up to be fully ripe and more bountiful than in previous years. Fertility is proving to be very satisfying across all varietals and territories, with large grapes and very compact bunches. Lastly, "This year, one had to have a southern soul... and take it easy," joked a grape producer.

Languedoc AOC - Les Terrasses du Larzac

Vincent Goumard - Mas Caldelmoura

"This is a strategist's vintage. Indeed, months and seasons were chaotic, and while the younger vines kept pace with nature, older vine stocks proved less sensitive to weather changes. Guiding this vintage required vigilance, close attention to vines and cellars, properly timed harvest dates and patience."

Minervois AOC

Françoise Frissant - Château Coupe-Roses

"This will be a gourmet year full of fruitiness without the heavy tannin that have kept us down at times. While the vintage initially seemed precocious, weather conditions in July and August slowed down the grape ripening process. We have finally begun harvest on September 12, in time with the new moon, which is often our best starting time."

Languedoc AOC - La Clape

Christophe Bousquet - Domaine Pech Redon

"Syrah grape bunches were so beautiful that I took a picture of them right on the sorting table! This varietal came out particularly well in the Massif de la Clape. Overall, this was a technical vintage that required careful vine observation and nerves of steel, as we were on the ropes by late August before September came along with its winds and sunny days..."

Corbières AOC

Xavier de Volontat - Château les Palais

"Corbières produced a beautiful vintage, and we love to say it loud and clear. The Massif des Corbières was spared by late summer's northern rains. Furthermore, excellent volumes will foster the Corbières AOC's quality, as grape producers will have their pick within their wine cellars, which is one of the advantages of our varied region."

Limoux AOC

Bernard Robert - Domaine de Fourn

"The summer of 2011, which turned out milder than usual, was a real boon for our sparkling wines. This year, our usual quality is backed by great volume, which is 20% higher than expected."

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For more information on wines of the Languedoc-Roussillon region, please contact:

Johanna Raynaud

Johanna.raynaud@sopexa.com

514 288-5802, ext. 210