Friday April 18, 2003

DISASTER FOR CHAMPAGNE

Champagne growers are suffering what could be one of the worst seasons for 10 years as central Europe and the UK basks under mid-summer temperatures.

The mini heatwave has revealed that up to half of Chardonnay vine buds on the Côte des Blancs were frost damaged during a cold snap down to minus nine degrees just a few days ago. Other vines may have suffered even more.

Said Damien Chauvet of Champagne Henri Chauvet: "The last bad frost like this happened 10 years ago and the potential drop in this years recolt could be as high as 50%. We have one vineyard close to Rilly-la-Montagne which has suffered about 40% damage to the vines although our other vineyard has suffered far less."

Meanwhile, growers are keeping a sharp eye on the vines and hoping there will be no more sudden frosts as the weather changes again. Champagne lovers need not fear a shortage of their favourite tipple. The damage will only effect this year's harvest and with more than 990 million bottles in store, gently ageing to perfection, there are plenty of reserves to cope with any shortfall next year.

ends.

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