April 2017 Loire frost – update from Patrick Vadé (Saumur Champigny and Saumur) plus Emmanuel Ogereau (Anjou)

Patrick Vadé

Patrick Vadé: Domaine Saint Vincent Saumur-Champigny (commune of Saumur)
"The damage is worse than last year. There were two episodes of frost. The first particularly on the morning of Thursday 20th April and then the following week for three successive early mornings: 27th, 28th and 29th.

The frost on the 20th hit the higher parts of the Saumur-Champigny appellation, which usually escapes the frost. For instance I've lost around 15% from my lower slopes. The frosts in the second week – 27th, 28th and 29th – hit the lower parts of the appellation that are prone to frost – St Cyr, Chacé etc. Some producers have lost virtually 100%. 

Talking to the Cave Robert et Marcel (the Cave Co-operative of St Cyr) they have lost 20% of their 1800 hectares.    

The frost of Saturday 29th was a surprise as the forecast was for + 2 but then for a brief period early in the morning the temperature dropped to minus 2 with a white frost. It all happened very quickly."

Because of the favourable forecast most producers were tucked up in bed so not in a position to attempt to alleviate this final April frost. 

Emmanuel Ogereau

Emmanuel Ogereau (Domaine Ogereau, Anjou)

Emmanuel Ogereau (Domaine Ogereau): “Savennières was wiped out on 27^th – only 10% of the crop remains and there is also severe damage in other parts of Anjou, especially around Rochefort-sur-Loire and Chaudefonds-sur-Layon. There was another frost in Savennières the following night but that had little effect as the damage had already been done the night before.

In Saint-Lambert we have lost between 30%-49% with our Chenin being particularly badly hit. Parts of the Coteaux d'Aubance have been seriously affected especially vineyards close to the river.”