As mentioned, we're pretty gobsmacked by the quality of the Muscadets and Sauvignons – where the growers got it right, it looks like 2007 should be similar to 2002, which also relied on a sunny September to save the vintage. And it's infinitely better than we expected at the end August!
Now the reds and the Chenins are pretty well in too, with just a few rows of Cabernet Sauvignon in the Anjou and a few final selective pickings in the Layon to watch out for.Chinon, Bourgueil, Saumur Champigny and Saint-Nicolas started [harvesting] the last week in September – perhaps a little early, and I expect better things of the wines picked early October. Surprise, surprise: Vatan, Targé, Lavigne, Couly, Joguet, Blot [Jacky Blot, pictured left] and Amirault picked later.
Although we've not got the great phenolic maturity of the 2003s or 2005s, it's pretty good, with growers picking between 11.5 and 13 [degrees Baumé, euqivalent to potential alcohol] at harvest. Again, expect wines on the lines of 2002.
The Chenins in Vouvray ripened early and then started to rot, so needed to be picked quickly. Although there are only a few moelleux [sweet wines], there will be plenty of fresh sec-tendres [off dry wines] with loads of pure fruit.
As for the Layon, well ... a great September and a nicely autumnal few days early October were followed by sunshine and cooler weather and we've got botrytis setting in (see right) and great concentration where growers are happy to tri [selectively pick the grapes] ... So much so that some of the guys are praying for rain to keep degrees [ie sugar levels] down at a 'sensible' level and quantities up a bit!