When we discuss the climate and weather these days, the term unprecedented is often banded about. 2021 in Champagne despite some difficult harvests in recent years, certainly demands the unprecedented moniker. Late frosts caused severe damage to the early buds and then both flowering and young fruit were battered by hailstorms. A very wet summer, the wettest on record; caused havoc with mildew. As a result, yields were extremely low across the entire appellation. For some producers, 2021 has been quite simply disastrous, with a 30% yield being a good result. The only glimmer of hope is that those who have manage to pick, have seen good quality grapes that bodes well for good quality wines. W e keep our fingers crossed for the vignerons and wish them bon courage!
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