Grapes are seen at the Chateau Luchey-Halde vineyard in Merignac, southwestern France as the traditional Bordeaux region wine harvest begins September 16, 2013.
Stock up on the Bordeaux now! According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, hailstorms and heavy rain have inundated the famed winemaking region, wiping out entire crops in the area’s prime growing spots and resulting in a 19% decrease in grape production this year. Growers say it’s the smallest harvest in 20 years — at a time of booming global demand.
Among the worst hit areas are Entre-Deux-Mers, which is known for its Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon grapes, and areas of Cotes de Castillon.
“It makes you realize you rely on nature and sometimes it is not with you,” winemaker Gavin Quinne of Château Bauduc told the Journal.
[WSJ]