Severe frost damage in most vineyards in France

After a premature few summery days in early April, there have been several frosty nights in most of France damaging plants which had budded happily included the hydrangeas in my garden. Here is a link to an article in French with a useful map of the areas affected http://www.lefigaro.fr/sciences/2017/04 ... le-gel.php .

As far as I can tell the Rhône valley seems OK as well as Roussillon and Provence. Bordeaux châteaux close to the Gironde estuary were less badly affected than those further inland. Watch the prices of '14, '15 and '16 now escalate. BTW there are reports of excellent quality of the last from most regions.

Thanks Tim for bringing us up to date. I also read that the Jura has had some major issues with Le Gel.
There is also an interesting article on S African wines and how they have improved.

[David M. Bueker]

Parts of Germany were hit badly as well.

The damage in parts of Champagne is extreme.