Automn-winter 2020/2021 :
A historical frost by its reach and its intensity!
Winter 20-21 was marked by an alternating mildness with the months of December and February respectively 1°c to 2 °C above the average. The coldest period was from the 9th to the 16th of February. During this time, the lowest temperature dropped to -9°C. In spite of this episode, on average, the winter was temperate with a higher-than-average rainfall (exceedingly more than 100mm of rain). Despite the spring-like weather during the second half of February, the ground was not dry in the beginning of March and thus the return to working the soils took place under difficult conditions. After notable cooler weather toward the middle of March, temperatures rose significantly and became summer-like during Easter week (29th of March to the 3rd of April). Thus, the vegetative cycle of the vines was suddenly stimulated. This was precisely when a brutal weather change occurred, on the night of the 5th of April. A large mass of polar air provoked devastating frost, particularly during the nights of the 5th to the 8th of April (-3° to -8°C). Even with diverse attempts to
protect the vines, these frost episodes hit the entirety of the vineyards, as the buds, already burst, were very fragile. The future harvest was largely impacted, and yet it was impossible to evaluate the loss.
