The 2024 vintage was a difficult one, with bad weather such as frost and hail in some wine-growing regions. There was some rain in July, which slowed down the ripening of the grapes. The last ten days of April were particularly cool, accompanied by several nights of frost. May continued to be cool, despite a short period of milder weather between 10 and 13 May. Thereafter, temperatures continued to fluctuate around normal until the end of the month and the first few days of June. Assuming an average of 41.5 million hl, this would not be enough to enable France to retain the title of world's leading wine producer, taken from Italy in 2023. 2024 is definitely not going to be a smooth ride for the winegrowers. The almost omnipresent rain means that the vines have to work hard to keep down vegetation and mildew.  Between 10% and 16% fewer harvests are expected than last year. The capricious weather is to blame.

Vintage Champagne 2024

In Champagne, spring frosts and hail have had an impact on production potential. Downy mildew, favoured by heavy rainfall, and coulure are also present. Vegetation is behind schedule, and production is expected to be lower than in 2023. The estimated yield for 2024 is down 16% on last year.

Vintage Burgundy 2024

In Burgundy, rainfall is also favouring virulent mildew, which is likely to cause losses. Vegetation is delayed by around 10 days. The forecast harvest is lower than in 2023, which was abundant. The estimated yield for 2024 is 25% lower than for 2023. 

Beaujolais 2024 vintage

Disease pressure is also high in the Beaujolais. The estimated yield in 2024 is 25% lower than in 2023.

Alsace 2024 vintage

In Alsace, downy mildew is expected to cause losses. Flowering was slowed by wet, cool weather, delaying the vineyard by a week compared with 2023. Production is expected to fall. The estimated yield for 2024 is down 13% on last year.

Savoyarde 2024 vintage

In Savoie, frost affected the vineyards in the spring, and mildew is also a threat. Yields are estimated at 100,000 hectolitres per hectare, a harvest similar to that of 2021. In 2023, Savoie produced 107,000 hectolitres per hectare.

2024 Jura vintage

In the Jura, a severe and widespread frost and mildew are cutting into production, which is expected to fall over the year. In one year, production in the Jura was estimated to have fallen by 70%.

Jean François Ganevat remains the king of this great wine region and its great wines

The Loire Valley 2024 vintage

In the Loire Valley, heavy pressure from downy mildew, particularly in organic farming, is likely to lead to losses. Coulure, the result of flowering in cold, damp conditions, is notable. Flowering is 10 days later than in 2023. Wine production is expected to be lower than in 2023 and the five-year average. Estimated yields for 2024 are down 30% on the previous year.

Vintage of Charentes 2024

In the Charentes region, wet conditions during flowering suggest a significant drop in production compared with the record year of 2023, compounded by early mildew. Estimated yields are down 35% on the previous year.

2024 Bordeaux vintage

In the Bordeaux region, a reduction of around 8,000 ha as a result of the grubbing-up plan will reduce expected production, in addition to potential losses due to coulure, mildew and hailstorms. Production is set to fall after an already reduced harvest in 2023. One estimate for 2024 yields in Bordeaux is down 10% on the previous year.

A great example of this area is the Chateau les Carmes Haut Brion winery where its winemaker Guillaume Pouthier was named Vigneron of the Year 2023

South-West 2024 vintage

In the South-West, coulure, millerandage, mildew, frost and hail have reduced production potential in several départements. Production is likely to be below the five-year average, following a poor harvest in 2023. 

Languedoc-Roussillon 2024 vintage

In Languedoc-Roussillon, flowering went well overall, but conditions varied: water deficit in Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales, excess water in Gard where mildew was very virulent. Production in the basin could be below the five-year average. One estimate for 2024 yields in Languedoc-Roussillon  is down 4% on the previous year.

Conclusion

To sum up in a few words, the 2024 vintage is a year with a lower yield than 2023. However, the quality is still there. Despite a year full of climatic hazards.