Hail damage in Touraine vineyards

Hail damage to the canes

Bunches smashed

Again bunches badly affected with canes marked by the hail stones

More damaged bunches plus perhaps some sun scorching

Erosion caused by the storm but damage accentuated by scorched earth weedkiller policy

5 August 2009

Last evening had a quick wander in some of the local vineyards on the edge of Epeigné-les-Bois and Saint-Georges-sur-Cher. Unfortunately there are some sectors that have been very badly hit by hail with bunches lacerated, leaves shredded and canes marked by the hail stones. The worst damage I saw was in a vineyard just to the south of the A85 autroroute, while just to the north of the A85 there was some evidence of damage but very much less severe. Hail is very often extremely localised – there is less than a kilometre from the badly damaged vineyard and the one much less affected.

Less affected some nicks – véraison beginning

Nearly whole bunch one grape nicked by hail

Vine killed by either esca or eutypoise

Domaine Guenault, Saint-Georges-sur-Cher