Wine's world

With a production of 20 million hectoliters of appellation wines (AOP), the 2023 harvest in France was normally abundant, on a par with those of 2022, 2020 or 2018, but not all regions were on the same footing.

Comparison 2023/average 2018 to 2022, source French Ministry of Agriculture :

+ 63% in Jura, after an already abundant harvest in 2022 (+23%),
+ 52% in Champagne, where reserve stocks are planned to stabilize prices,
+ 20% in Burgundy-Beaujolais, volume comparable to 2018's record,
+15% in Val de Loire, a return to abundance after two weak years in 2021 and 2022,

• average (between +5% and -5%) in Corsica, Languedoc-Roussillon, Savoie, Rhône Valley and Provence,

- 16% in Bordeaux, due to mildew attacks in June and July,
- 29% in the South-West, where mildew, powdery mildew and drought were combined. The Cahors appellation was the worst affected, with barely half a harvest.

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Worldwide, production in 2023 was at its lowest level since 1961 (!), enabling France to regain its world leadership ahead of Italy, Spain and the U.S.A.

Comparison 2023/average 2018 to 2022, source I.O.V.M. on 29 countries except China (expected early 2024) :

+ 14% in New Zealand,
+ 12% in Portugal,
+ 9% in Russia,

• average (between +5% and -5%) in Romania, U.S.A., France and Germany,

- 8% in South Africa,
- 13% in Italy,
- 18% in Chile,
- 19% in Spain,
- 22% in Australia,
- 29% Argentina,
- 50% in Greece.

Ukrainian winegrowers are as resilient as the rest of their people.

Like Mrs Tsybak, director of the Beykush estate, located on the Black Sea halfway between Odessa and Mykolaïv:

« Beykush is a family-run vineyard covering just 13 hectares and located two kilometres from the occupied zone. When war broke out last year, we were uncertain about our viticultural prospects and devoted ourselves to maintaining the vineyards. September 2022 produced high quality grapes thanks to dry, warm weather, with no problems in the vines. Based on last year's success, we plan to increase our production by 20% this year, thanks to two additional hectares that are reaching maturity, despite the missiles flying overhead ».

However, there are now fewer than 100 active winegrowing operations in Ukraine, compared to 180 18 months ago.

The latest Saint-Emilion classification (2022) confirmed Clos Fourtet's rank as a 1er Grand Cru Classé.

At the same time, the INAO has given its approval for the merger of Clos Fourtet and Château Les Grandes Murailles under the single name of Clos Fourtet. The merger of the two properties will be effective as of the 2022 harvest, resulting in the disappearance of the Grandes Murailles label during the next Primeurs campaign.

The two properties have always been closely linked, first by their geographical proximity (the Grandes Murailles parcel is adjacent to the Clos Fourtet vines), and then by the acquisition in 2013 of Château Les Grandes Murailles by the Cuvelier family, already owners of Clos Fourtet. Since then, although vinified separately, the two wines have benefited from the same constant care and expertise by Matthieu Cuvelier's team.

The great typicity of the Grandes Murailles wines (asteriated limestone terroir, 100% merlot, 30+ year old vines) will bring a little extra uprightness and elegance to the future blends of Clos Fourtet, which is already one of the most refined wines in the area!