The Frost Episodes Have Had a Variable Impact on the Roussillon Vineyards Depending on the Sector

During the night of April 7th to 8th, the Roussillon vineyards were subject to a frost episode, affecting almost the entire national territory. Lowland vineyards and river banks represent the majority of the affected areas, partially or totally “burned”. Fortunately, the impact is less important than for the rest of France.

The damage is therefore significant in certain plots in several sectors, with destruction levels of 80 to 100%. This is notably the case in the northwestern part of the Eastern Pyrenees County (Fenouillèdes and Conflent cantons, in the Agly Valley (“Plaine” of Estagel), as well as in the northeastern part (Salanque sector) where plots of Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet have been completely destroyed.

The rest of the area was rather preserved with nevertheless scattered affected plots mainly because of their situation of lowland or riverside (in the North-West: Cantons of Aspres, Albères and Vallespir).

The vineyards of the Côte Vermeille were spared.

The nature of the damage is characterized by a browning of the first leaves and branches. For the plots at the most advanced phenological stages, these organs are destroyed. The later plots have burnt buds. Other symptoms will probably be even more visible in the coming days. In any case, we must already count with a significant loss of harvest. Indeed, even if the vine will be able, in most cases, to produce again branches and leaves, these will not be fruitful.