Champagne 2011 harvest could be earliest since 2003

August holidays have been cancelled in Champagne in anticipation of a very early harvest, possibly the earliest on record – especially if the warm weather of March to the end of May continues.

Flowering was generally completed before the end of May and in some places the vines were in full flower by 21 May.

Adding 92 days – the average time over the past decade in Champagne between flowering and the start of the harvest—picking could start on 22 August.

However because August is usually warmer and has more sun than September, it is possible the period between flowering may be even shorter, at just 80 days, which means the first grapes may be cut on August 16.

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