Reims, 21 June 2022
Now, with early summer here in a year that has been quite a good one in Champagne so far, the vines’ flowering stage looks very promising.
The flowering stage in the development of the vines is an important period that provides a forecast of what the volume of the harvest will be like and on what dates it will begin.
According to Isabelle Tellier, Chef de Cave of the House of Chanoine Frères, “Conditions this spring were favorable, nearly frost-free. The flowering is generous; conditions were very good, with only two days of rain, and the flowers are numerous.
As a result the fruit load in the vineyards is high and the harvest may prove to be abundant — provided that the grapes’ later growth and maturation stages go well.
Fruit set is in, the fruit is now forming, and the bunches are developing their cover of small, firm green berries. At this stage, the vines are in a satisfactory state of health.”
This year the timing of the flowering stage has more or less returned to normal in terms of the decade average. Full flowering was recorded in late May for the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varieties, and in early June for the Meunier.
Since harvesting begins between 85 and 90 days after full flowering, it can be expected to begin in late August for the earliest grape varieties and in early September for the majority of the harvests in Champagne.
