The heatwave that is roasting parts of Europe is more than welcome in the French region of Bordeaux, where wine producers say a sudden intense burst of sun after a wet spring could produce a superior vintage.

"Two of three days of heatwave in Bordeaux at this time, it's magic!" Philippe Bardet, head of the Bordeaux Wine Council, told AFP.

Temperatures are expected to rise past 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) this week in the Bordeaux region, helping to burn off any of the mildew caused by residual damp, which is "very, very good for quality", Bardet said.

A long dry summer last year also helped salvage grapes threatened by mildew, producing an excellent "millesime" or vintage.

Bernard Farges, head of the federation of Bordeaux wine appellations, which represents 4,500 producers, noted that the vine "is a Mediterranean plant, it likes heat."

Thanks to the unusually high temperatures, workers who are getting ready for the post-summer harvest by trellising the vine and topping the shoots have to start before dawn to beat the heat.

"People are used to be it," said Frederic Faux, head of the agriculture section at the CGT trade union in the Bordeaux area. "We're used to that in agriculture."

Related Links
Farming Today - Suppliers and Technology

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Qu Dongyu becomes first Chinese to head UN food agency FAO
Rome (AFP) June 23, 2019
Qu Dongyu on Sunday became the first Chinese national to be elected to head the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, clinching the post in the first round of voting. Qu, 55, a biologist by training, won 108 votes, followed by Catherine Geslain-Laneelle of France with 71 votes and Georgia's Davit Kirvalidze with 12, according to official results. "I'm very grateful to all member countries for your active participation," the new FAO chief said after the results were announced. "Thanks also to o ... read more