Bordeaux readies to plant southern varieties in face of climate crisis

As the last of the Cabernet Sauvignon is picked in what looks to be a ‘good’ 2019 vintage, Bordeaux is gearing up for what may be the most significant change in vineyard complexion since the ravages of phylloxera in the late 1800s.

Cramele Recas on target to hit 23m litres for 2019 vintage

Cramele Recas has confirmed it is poised to hit 23m litres for this year’s vintage with only 10,000 tons of grapes to go for the harvest to reach the target.

Climate change hits Champagne harvest

Global warming cost Champagne over 10% of its potential harvest this year, the Champagne Bureau has revealed.

Harvest Festival with a difference at Vagabond

London’s Vagabond Wines is offering wine drinkers a twist on the school autumn-term staple, the Harvest Festival.

Small harvest in Sicily promises high-quality wine

The 2019 grape harvest in Sicily is down by as much as 30% on average when measured against typical recent volumes, according to the initial report from the Consortium for the Protection of Sicilia DOC Wines.

Provence harvest off to a ‘promising’ start

Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins de Provence (CIVP) has announced a “promising start” to the harvest season across Côtes de Provence, Coteaux Varois en Provence and Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence.

Soave anticipates reduced but high quality vintage

Soave Consorzio has announed it is expecting to produce a reduced but “pristine harvest of classically balanced top quality wines” on the back of 2019’s long moderate growing season.

Australian wine grape crush defies early predictions

The National Vintage Report 2019 for Australia has revealed a 1% decrease in the national wine grape crush to an estimated 1.73 million tonnes (Mt).

Villa Maria hails “greatest ever harvest”

Top kiwi winemaker Villa Maria is full of enthusiasm for its wines from the 2019 vintage, with “numerous highlights” from the Hawkes Bay and Gisborne areas leading the winery to declare its best ever harvest.

South African harvest slumps to record low

The South African wine grape harvest in 2019 hit a record low thanks to a drought and fluctuating weather conditions. However, winemakers are positive about the quality of the resulting vintage.

Côtes du Rhône declares 2018 ‘outstanding’ vintage

Côtes du Rhône has declared the 2018 vintage as ‘outstanding' marking the fourth in a series of such quality for the AOC.

Alsace boasts optimum quality and quantity harvest

Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins d'Alsace (CIVA) has announced optimum quality and quantity for the 2018 harvest.

2018 Burgundy: excellent reds and solid whites

Panos Kakaviatos reports from Hospices de Beaune on the ins and outs of the 2018 vintage. 

Napa Valley reports strong vintage with ideal weather conditions

Napa Valley has announced a “Goldilocks” 2018 vintage.

Low disease pressure and minimal intervention casts warm glow over UK wine industry

The week that was

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, here’s a review of the top online news, analysis, opinions and features.

Douro harvest delivers quality on back of “absurdly low” yields

Following a year of challenging weather extremes, the Douro’s 2018 harvest has given up some “excellent Ports and Douro wines” according to Symington Family Estate’s annual harvest report.

Bourgogne export volumes grow by 4%

Bourgogne wines saw exports grow by 4% in volume for the first seven months of 2018, compared to the same period in 2017, according to the Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bourgogne (BIVB).

Indies brave the storm

With the likes of an undetermined Brexit and poor 2017 harvest to deal with, how are independents coping? Lisa Riley reports

Chablis harvest is hailed best in 20 years

The Chablis harvest of 2018 is the best in 20 years, Louis Moreau, president of the Chablis Commission has announced.