Mistletoe in the poplars
In comparison to the mild weather during March and early April 2014, this year is now much cooler with temperatures around 9˚C/10˚C max along with cold nights, although we have had one or two warmer days since we arrived here on 18th March. To date there is no sign here of the vines being anywhere close to budbreak at the moment.
In terms of max temperature 2015, to date (data from weather station in Tours), is slightly above average with 12.6˚C against 12.3˚C norm. 2014 was much warmer with 15˚C and much more sunshine 217 hours compared to 116 hours this year (norm 144). Both 2014 and 2015 have seen low rainfall – only 25.8 mm compared to 27.3 mm in 2014, while the norm is 50.3 mm. Although the forecast for the rest of this month threatens a fair amount of rain.
Producers will be fairly relaxed that the vines aren't well in advance of normal as this reduces the length of danger time for Spring frosts. Some of the most damaging frosts have been in years when bud-break was early – 1991 and 2012, for instance. Unfortunately a late start doesn't rule out a frost as the very late starting 2013 showed with vines being frosted at the end of April. Fingers crossed!
Producers will be fairly relaxed that the vines aren't well in advance of normal as this reduces the length of danger time for Spring frosts. Some of the most damaging frosts have been in years when bud-break was early – 1991 and 2012, for instance. Unfortunately a late start doesn't rule out a frost as the very late starting 2013 showed with vines being frosted at the end of April. Fingers crossed!
Some photos from late-March in Epeigné-les-Bois.
Road between Montrichard and Loches is blocked
by road works in the centre of Le Liége
Just a faint hint of green
A late patch of sunlight yesterday
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