France's vintage 2012 so far

Most French vineyards are developing much later than they were in 2011, which was admittedly an exceptionally early year. After three precocious vintages, 2012 sees a return to the old normality.
 
Flowering was affected by a prolonged period of cold, wet weather so it tended to be extended over a long period resulting in very heterogeneous clusters and, in a few regions, very significant coulure. Yields are likely to be reduced by millerandage. Downy mildew has affected all French wine regions and now the clusters are seeing powdery mildew. Grey rot has followed successive hailstorms causing...