Burgundy 2012 – and now it's hail

Bad news for burgundy lovers. It has hardly been a blissful growing season for the Côte d'Or's vine growers, as we reported here. One Hong Kong wine merchant visiting Burgundy last week found several appointments cancelled because growers had to be out in the vines frantically spraying against mildew.

The flowering took place in less than propititous weather and there has been considerable coulure.

But that's not all. On Saturday night hailstones the size of yoyos fell on parts of the valley of the Saône, with many vineyards on the Côte de Beaune particularly seriously affected. You can see...