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Bordeaux runs short of labour

training young Marselan vines in Entre Deux Mers

Vineyard management companies are becoming increasingly important in the Gironde too. Above, recently planted Marselan vines (added to the classic recipe of Merlot and the Cabernets in the face of climate change) need careful training.

Prompted by Samantha Cole-Johnson’s articles on vineyard management companies in the USA and Jancis’s article What’s troubling vintners today, I thought I’d take a look at the labour situation in Bordeaux. It’s actually the topic of conversation among growers at the moment. Staff shortages in hospitality, airports and railways may get all the press but the problem is as acute in the vineyards of...