BUREAU INTERPROFESSIONNEL DES VINS DE BOURGOGNE: “THE 2014 HARVEST WAS VERY GOOD AND WE EXPECT A GREAT YEAR. GOOD YIELD AND QUALITY FOR BOTH WHITE AND RED GRAPES, THANKS TO SUNNY SEPTEMBER. THE WINES WILL BE BALANCED WITH INTENSE COLOR”

2014 is a very promising vintage because of the good yields even though they won’t totally compensate for depleting stocks. September played its role out to the end of the month, allowing grapes to ripen well. The result was not at all evident, though, since 2014 was characterized by uncertain weather conditions.

According to the Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bourgogne the fine Burgundy wines of 2014 are promising, have a perfect balance and intense colors. The final data on quantities will not be known until early 2015, but preliminary estimates indicate a return to normalcy for many producers, after at least a couple of unproductive years.

In the spring it looked like there would be an early, abundant harvest with healthy vines, thanks to the warm, dry climate. But, violent hailstorms hit Burgundy in the summer, causing extensive damage, especially to certain denominations like Côte de Beaune and around Lugny (this was the second, and in some cases even the third year that the vineyards have been hit by bad weather and the hopes of a good harvest dashed in a few minutes).

It seemed that the sun had gone on vacation in the summer, and the early harvest forecast in the spring dwindled away. Despite the rain and cold, however, grapes started ripening at the end of August. The sun was back at the beginning of September, providing ideal conditions for grapes to ripen and ensuring optimum good health.

The Burgundy region, like other wine regions in France, suffered a couple of violent attacks of sour rot, so Pinot Noir was subjected to a rigorous selection, both in the vineyard and the cellar.

The harvest began in mid-September, in the sun. The grapes harvested were mature, healthy and aromatically rich. Regular fermentation and the heat favored quick malolactic fermentation.

The Burgundy white wines in 2014 will be excellent. At the moment, they are characterized by balance and structure that promise more strength over time. The reds offer intense colors, rich aromas, soft concentration and pleasant tannins in the mouth. They are wonderfully complex and have all the qualities of Burgundy great reds. Even the Crémant de Bourgogne (sparkling Charmat area) wines are promising: high acidity and liveliness.

Thanks to the increase in production, in particular for the Aligoté variety, Burgundy should be able to comply with the increasing demand.