“We're doing pretty well”: in the Côtes de Millau, the grape harvest is going well

Avec 17 régions viticoles, la France est le 1er pays producteur de vins d'AOP au monde, le 2nd en volume derrière l'Italie. LB

After a "frankly exceptional" 2023 vintage, the winegrowers of the Côtes de Millau are launching the full harvest season.

Frost, rain, humidity, disease pressure, hail… If the national report does not bode well for French vines, on the French vine side, in South Aveyron the observation remains more positive. "We're even doing pretty well, validates the president of the AOP Côtes de Millau who, like most of the operators of the appellation, has launched the traditional harvest period.

After a 2023 vintage "frankly exceptional", that of the year that is coming will be "probably less good" despite volumes "up 20 %&quot recalls Ludovic Bouviala for whom the work in the cellar will be, this year without doubt more than others, decisive.

“We will not make a wine for laying down”

Following a spring beneficial for the recharging of groundwater masses, the rainfall in July and August (79 mm of precipitation), and in September (60.5 mm) caused the berries to swell and consequently the volume per hectare.

“Maybe we missed a little bit of sun, adds Eddy Bertau for the eponymous estate, nestled on the limestone hillsides of Candas, but we should still manage to come up with something pretty good.”

Lulled by the South wind, at the end of last week, – “we love it because it makes the degrees rise”, enthuses Ludovic – The Côtes de Millau should once again produce a fine vintage this year. Spared this year by frost or disease, the vineyard of around fifty hectares that extends over 17 communes should make the most of its terroir and its exposure. This “microclimate” validates Ludovic Bouviala” which gives the charm and the”typicality of the AOP.

He tempers: “we will not make a wine for laying down, but rather a light, supple and easy-to-drink wine”. A good omen for the South Aveyron vineyard as the new appetite of enthusiasts is now moving towards much lighter juices. And to conclude: “Even if we are dependent on the climatic conditions and a relatively short production season for wine, the appellation has many good years ahead of it. The potential is enormous here.”