2024 Vintage Report
“Année
horrible…mais tout va bien qui finit relativement bien”
The 2024 growing season in the Loire Valley was marked by complex weather conditions and significant viticultural challenges. From early spring, growers faced increased pressure from mildew, exacerbated by regular periods of rainfall and relatively cool temperatures. Unlike recent years, where drought conditions were prevalent, 2024 saw rainfall levels twice the annual average in many regions. This made vineyard management particularly difficult with an increased numbers of treatments across the board required to combat disease at a time when even accessing the vineyards with a tractor was difficult. These climatic conditionshave ledto late harvests and lower-than-expected yieldsacross many appellations.
Despite these challenges, the quality of the wines will largely depend on the vigilance of the growers and their ability to adapt their practices. Those who closely monitored the vines, intervened at the right time, and managed to limit the effects of mildew and coulure have achieved healthy grapes and promising juices. On the other hand, vineyards that were unable to react quickly are reporting very low yields and wines that may lack aromatic complexity. Fortunately, none of our growers fall into this category! Overall, the 2024 vintage is expected to produce wines with freshness and good acidity, although with lower alcohol levels compared to previous vintages, particularly in the regions most affected by the climate. A good result considering the new, draconian duty legislation!
Picking started in mid to late September in most appellations and was mainly finished by the end of September or early October, although it continued into mid to late October for the reds of Chinon and Saumur Champigny and some dryChenin and late picked cuvées.
The Muscadet region faced a challenging vintage, characterised by lower yields (between 10/15Hl/ha for organic & 20/30hl/ha for sustainable) due to filage (or “early bunch stem necrosis”) and extreme mildew pressure. Harvest started in mid-September, but the vintage was considered late with difficult ripening conditions. Although the wines show nice freshness, alcohol levels are generally lower than average, with higher-than-usual acidity, largely due to the cool and wet climate that dominated the growing season.
In Anjou, harvest began in late September and continued until early November. While yields are near normal in some parcels, the wet conditions favoured the development of botrytis, requiring rigorous hand sorting in the vineyards to discard affected bunches. Acidity levels are generally good, with alcohol levels ranging from 10.5% to 11.5%. However, some plots experienced reduced yields due to heavy rainfall and delayedripening periods.
The rain during the harvest has had an impact on the yields in the predominantly red appellations of Chinon, Bourgueil and Saumur Champigny and yields were around 35 to 40 hl/ha, with whitesbeing slightly less. Malic acidity is quite high and potential alcohol around 12% but acidity was adjusted through malolactic fermentations and balance of the wines with the fruit ripeness is excellent. Not an outstanding vintage, but very decent none the less.
The 2024 vintage for Vouvray has produced average yields of around 30 hl/ha. Again, the climatic conditions have been challenging, with significant pressure from coulure affecting yields. The wines have an alcohol content of approximately 12%, with atotal acidity measured at 6.5 g/l. Despite these challenges, the wines show good potential, and careful attention to vinification and aging will be crucial in revealing thetrue potential and quality of the harvested grapes.
Fortunes appear to be fairly varied across Touraine, with those vineyards closer to the Cher generally delivering better yields and quality than those bordering the Loire. That said, there are winners and losers across the appellation and missed treatments at crucial times have led to severely reduced yields in some cases. Alcohol levels are around 12% to 12.5% and total acidities between 5 and 5.5 g/l, providing wines with decent concentration and excellent freshness. The most successful vineyards have produced yields of around 55 hl/ha but others that suffered from the climatic conditions will be lower, so average yields of around 40 hl/ha across the appellation.
The rainy conditions in September significantly affected the appellations of Reuilly, Quincy, Menetou-Salon and Coteaux du GIennois. Yields are among the lowest in the region (around 15 hl/ha to 35hl/ha with the worst being Menetou), due to frost, coulure, and mildew. Menetou-Salon and the Giennois are possibly the worst affected of the appellations with organic growers being worst hit despite twice the normal number of treatments.
The 2024 vintage in Pouilly-Fumé was one of the most difficult in recent years. The region was severely impacted by mildew, leading to significant losses. Yields are historically low (although slightly better than 2021), ranging between 25 and 30 hl/ha. However, the harvested grapes were of good sanitary quality, with alcohol levels between 12.5% and 13%, and well-balanced acidity. The vintage has delivered wines with interesting aromas, despite a certain astringency related to high malic acidity but astute winemaking and adjustmentsin the cellar have produced quality wines.
Sancerre was not spared from the challenging weather, with yields varying between 25 and 50 hl/ha (depending on whether organic or conventional). Mildew pressure and frequent rain during flowering impacted grape quality. However, the white juices show alcohol levels between 12% and 13%, with balanced acidity. The reds also display good freshness, though Pinot Noiryields were lower than normal.
This vintage is characterised by wines with moderate alcohol levels and relatively high acidity, giving them a more “Ligérien” profile with enhanced vibrancy. The least affected regions, notably certain parcels in Pouilly, Sancerre, and Muscadet, deliver wineswith interesting aromas and good balance. However, careful selection and blending have been crucial in ensuring optimal quality, particularly in appellations where phenolic ripenesswaslacking.
The 2024 vintage in the Loire Valley will be remembered as one of the most difficult in recent decades. The season was dominated by excessive rainfall and high mildew pressure, which affected both yields and grape quality. However, this vintage once again highlights the importance of meticulous work in the vineyard. Growers who adapted their practices and intervened swiftly were able to limit the damage, and their wines offer pleasant surprises in terms of freshness and balance. 2024 is a “good” to “very good” vintage considering all the challenges aswe areconfident the wines on taste today willdemonstrate.
Santé!