Ripeness update

On Thursday we tested the Syrah in Cru Vinsobres again.  The field tested indicated a potential alcohol of 11.3°, so an increase of just over a degree in a week.  This time however we also sent the juice off to the lab’ which has measured the potential alcohol at 11.7°.  The lab results also give us information on the acidity of the juice and the potassium and nitrogen content.  All these readings are looking good, with the acidity dropping nicely.  Subject to the weather we will aim to harvest this in 7 to 10 days from now.  On Monday we are going to test some of the early ripening plots of Grenache and also the Syrah in Côtes du Rhône Villages. It is unlikely that these are as close to harvest as the Syrah in Cru Vinsobres, but it will give us a baseline and allow us to begin pencilling in a harvest date.  Whilst the weather remains unseasonably hot and sunny for the moment there is now some rain in the forecast, with storms forecast for Wednesday and showers next weekend – we will need to keep an eye on that as any rain always complicates harvest planning!