Our View on the 2021 vintage
The 2021 vintage in France was influenced by varying weather conditions across regions, resulting in contrasting outcomes in the vineyards. Overall, the year was marked by extreme weather events, including late spring frosts, intense summer heat, and variable precipitation during the growing season.
In Bordeaux, conditions were very diverse, but the end of summer provided ideal conditions for berry ripening and harvesting. Despite a reduction in volumes due to frost and mildew, the quality of the wines is present, as Bordeaux producers carefully selected the unaffected bunches. The vintage is promising for Bordeaux red, with fruity, colourful, and aromatic grape varieties, and sweet white wines will be successful thanks to conditions conducive to noble rot.
In Burgundy, 2021 was challenging, particularly due to frost lasting until April and July rains that brought fungal diseases. After meticulous sorting, winemakers managed to produce quality juices. The Burgundy white are successful, indulgent, and balanced with beautiful minerality in Chablis and marked opulence in the Côte d'Or and Côte Chalonnaise. The Burgundy red are less concentrated than the previous year, but they are appealing and very fruity.
In the Northern Rhone, conditions returned to a more classic pattern: the reds are elegant and refined thanks to Syrahs with moderate alcohol, silky tannins, and balanced acidity; the whites also benefited from good ripeness. In the Southern Rhone, frost and hail impacted certain areas, and ripening was slower: the reds are fresh with crunchy fruit, and the whites have interesting balances with refreshing acidity and vibrant fruit.
The Loire produced lovely fresh wines that respect classic aromatics. The Loire reds are precise and appetising, the Loire whites have a beautiful aromatic amplitude and pronounced freshness, and the sweet wines are complex with a good acidity, perfect for aging.
Conditions were also tough in Champagne: some producers will release vintage cuvées, while others will not take the risk! Lovely wines were produced in Alsace with quality Rieslings, Muscats, and Sylvaners. Beaujolais benefited from an Indian summer to produce delightful and approachable Gamays. The Languedoc produced wines with beautiful freshness, just as Jura and Savoie drew great aromatic typicity from the grape varieties and terroirs despite harsh conditions. Provence and Corsica produced wines of excellent quality despite the drought: concentrated wines with lovely acidity.