Hailstorms devastate Bordeaux’s vineyards

THE French government has promised to help winegrowers in the Bordeaux region, some of whom lost their entire crop in storms on Saturday night.

Cyril Giresse, who runs the Château Gravettes Samonac in the Côtes de Bourg appellation, said hailstones “the size of pigeons’ eggs” destroyed grape buds and left vines bare. “The storm lasted only 15 minutes, but in some places, there’s nothing left, just the vines stripped as if the grapes had been picked,” he said.

Jean-dominique Château, another producer, said: “I’ve got nothing left. I’ve been growing grapes for 33 years and this is the worst storm I’ve ever seen. Last year we lost 40 per cent of our crop to hail but this year it’s even worse.”

Stéphane Travert, the agriculture minister, said: “We’re ready to meet winemakers.”

Franck Jullion, of the producers’ association in the Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux appellation, said: “It’s as if the vines had gone back to winter. We’re going to need a lot of support and solidarity.”

Didier Gontier, director of the Côtes de Bourg appellation, said: “This is going to affect two years of production.”