{"id":56459,"date":"2021-05-14T15:58:13","date_gmt":"2021-05-14T13:58:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.refonte-adv.votre-projet.com\/?p=56459"},"modified":"2026-04-28T10:20:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T08:20:22","slug":"what-is-the-impact-of-frost-on-frances-2021-vintages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.atelierduvin.com\/en\/what-is-the-impact-of-frost-on-frances-2021-vintages\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the Impact of Frost on France\u2019s 2021 Vintages?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The 2021 vintage<\/strong> is a cause of great concern for French winemakers in a number of regions. In early April, a terrible wave of frost<\/strong> of a rare magnitude, hit France\u2019s vineyards. Which ones were the worst hit\u00a0? Which wineries were spared? L\u2019Atelier du Vin<\/strong> takes stock of this devastating icy spell and its consequences on French wine in 2021. Since 1926, we have provided you with the right <\/em>wine tools and accessories<\/em><\/a><\/strong> to discover vintage years and fully appreciate grand cru wines.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Majority of French Vineyards Affected by Frost from 6th-<\/sup>8th<\/sup> April 2021\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Ne\u2019er cast a clout till May be out! Unfortunately, this old adage proved to be true in the spring of 2021, as icy weather took French winemakers and farmers by surprise, much to their dismay. In the nights of the 6th<\/sup>, 7th<\/sup> and 8th<\/sup> of April 2021<\/strong>, frost settled over the country\u2019s fields and vineyards. Although a cold spell had been forecast, no one expected it to be quite so severe and widespread.<\/p>\n

An Almost Unprecedented Frost Hits French Vineyards in 2021<\/h3>\n

Over the course of several nights, temperatures dropped below –9\u00b0 in some of France\u2019s wine regions<\/strong>. Unfortunately, the previous week had been very warm for the time of year. The frost caused a sudden change of temperature<\/strong> at the worst possible moment, just as the first buds were beginning to break.<\/p>\n

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To make matters worse, the 2020 harvest had taken place earlier than usual<\/strong> for a number of wine-growers, who had pruned at the end of the year. Their vines were therefore already at an advanced stage of budding in April 2021 and were all the more damaged by this sub-zero spring frost<\/strong>, as were the earlier ones, whose buds were burned by the cold.<\/p>\n

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In comparison to previous years, the cold snap was far worse than 2017<\/strong> and similar to the one in 1991, or even the great frost of 1956. Some wine-growers say it was the worst black frost<\/strong> they have ever known, which is true on a national level, as no less than 80% of French vineyards were affected<\/strong> according to the \u2018Comit\u00e9 National Interprofessions des Vins\u2019.<\/p>\n

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In the midst of the health crisis, this frost comes at a difficult time for winegrowers<\/strong>, already been hard-hit by a strong drop in sales due to the closure of hotels, restaurants, and caf\u00e9s. For some distraught winemakers, the survival of their vines and business<\/strong> has been called into question this year. In view of the extensive damage, the French government has promised to declare an agricultural disaster for 2021.<\/p>\n

Which French Vineyards Were the Worst Hit by the 2021 Spring Frost?<\/h3>\n

The consequences are, without a doubt, already catastrophic for the overwhelming majority of French vineyards. From Burgundy to Bordeaux, Champagne to the Loire Valley, Beaujolais to Savoie, or the Rhone Valley to Occitania, almost all the wine regions with appellations<\/strong> were badly hit.<\/p>\n

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Locally, the damage varies from one plot to another, but many winegrowers already know that they have partially or fully lost their 2021 harvest, because the frost destroyed their vines and first buds.<\/p>\n

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