France: Hail destroys 300ha of vineyards in Champagne, says report

(Decanter) - Last weekend's severe hailstorms caused such extensive damage that several parts of the Champagne region lost up to half the potential 2013 crop, according to an official report issued yesterday.

The report by the Comité Interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne (CIVC) found some 3,000 hectares were affected with more than 300ha of vineyard completely destroyed across the region.

The report stated: 'Hailstones particularly affected villages around Epernay and the Côte des Blancs.

'A quarter of the vineyards have been affected by hail in Mancy and Hautvillers with around 30% of the vineyards damaged. 100% of the vineyards have been hit in the communes of Monthelon and Moslins with 10% damage in the former, but at least half the harvest destroyed in Moslins.

‘In the Côte des Blancs, the hail struck the crus of Cramant, Cuis, Chouilly Oiry and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger with between 10-15% of the crop lost.'

The report added that the St-Thierry area to the west of Reims was 'particularly hit' with 'all the communes of Pévy, Hermonville, Prouilly and Trigny involved', of which Prouilly and Trigny lost half their potential crop.

Michel Letter managing director of GH Mumm and Perrier-Jouët, confirmed the damage in Cramant: 'In our Mumm vineyard, which lies in the centre of the cru, 20% to 25% was hit and we have seen 15ha completely destroyed.'