Fruit for their white Bordeaux wine is often picked before the sun rises. According to Jean-Philippe Delmas, “This ensures the fruit remains cool which helps the berries retain their unique, fresh aromas.”

The vines were helped with much needed moisture when they received rain in mid and July. The rain at that time sped up the ripening process. Summer rains can be a problem. Heat and moisture could lead to the development of rot if precautions are not taken.

Friday, September 2, a massive storm slammed into the Northern Medoc just before noon. Torrential rains were accompanied by fericious hail. Reports are circulating that over half an inch of rain fell in a 20 minute period in the area’s Bordeaux wine vineyards!

2011 Bordeaux, for many chateaux will be the earliest harvest on record since 1893! However, growers situated in some parts of Bordeaux have moved up their time tables are harvesting even earlier than they previously expected.

Even though Pomerol is always the first of the major Bordeaux wine appellations to harvest, with an August 31 start date, this is much earlier than usual.