France - 
Article published the Tuesday 17 August 2010 - Latest update : Tuesday 17 August 2010

First French grape harvests of 2010

Muscat grapes
Jean-Marc Rosier via Wikimedia Commons

By RFI

The 2010 grape harvest has started in France, with the first grapes picked in vineyards in the southwest. The owner of the Rombeau domain in the Rivesaltes vineyard said the harvest started on 12 August, which is average.

The 90-hectare Rombeau domain is traditionally the first to harvest each year, according to owner Pierre-Henri de La Fabrègue. He says this is because he has early ripening grapes like Muscat, which are grown on rocky terraces in full sun.

 

The harvest from the Rivesaltes region is expected to be small but of good quality this year.

"The weather was pretty good, with rain in the spring and some drought this year, plus some cool nights,” said Olivier Chouilly, the director of the Arnaud de Villeneuve collective wine cellar.

The only thing missing were rains last autumn, which is why there will be fewer grapes this year.

tags: Agriculture - France - Wine
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