Vintage 2022: After an average first leaf, flowering is ahead of schedule
The frost in early April made everyone fear the worst, but fortunately, its consequences should be limited for this vintage that has begun at a good pace.
After a relatively mild and dry winter, the clement temperatures during the second half of March encouraged the growth cycle to begin. The first green shoots were observed in the earliest areas right at the start of April.
At the same time, a mass of cold air from the north led temperatures to plummet. It was déjà-vu for the winegrowers as the region was hit by two frost events between 3-11 April.
Fortunately, a little more than a month later, the Ice Saints’ Days are behind us and it would appear that the frost has had limited impact that was only felt in certain sectors in the northern part of the region.
Those plots protected from the frost continued their growth cycle while budburst was slightly slowed in those vines that were hit. As such, the vines are at different stages of development across the region, depending on location and varietal.
In general terms, the estimated date of mid-budburst is slightly later than that observed in 2021, but within the average for the past 28 years (first half of April). The first half of May, warm with some welcome rainfall, accelerated the pace and a flower appeared here and there as early as 18th May, in the earliest sectors and on the earliest plants.
Â
At your service
Rendez-vous avec les vins de Bourgogne: Marsannay, 3 colors on the Côte de Nuits
On 29 June, the “Rendez-vous avec les vins de Bourgogne” show invites you to discover the Marsannay appellation.
The only Village appellation in Bourgogne that can be produced in all three colors, Marsannay will be the star of the next edition of the “Rendez-vous avec les vins de Bourgogne” show on Wednesday 29 June.
The first part of this one-hour program, “Marsannay: Three Colors on the Côte de Nuits”, will reveal the key facts about the AOC, along with reportages and interviews with winegrowers.
The second part of the show offers a guided tasting of several wines which participants can sample simultaneously. An expert from the École des Vins de Bourgogne will answer questions live via Twitter and the #BIVBRDV hashtag.
Different screening times ensure that fans of Bourgogne wines around the world can take part. The show screens in English at 9am, 11am, 6pm, and 10pm and in French at 4pm. All times are France time.
Wine tourism: 13 videos to invite you on a Bourgogne Road Trip
A web series to take you on a tasty tour, made in partnership with the Syndicat des Bourgogne to promote the Bourgogne plus a geographical denomination wines.
Since 30 March, the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) has been releasing a new video on its social media channels every Wednesday at 5pm CET. The videos feature Marie & Alain, from the Destination Camping-Car YouTube channel, who head off to explore each geographical denomination of the Bourgogne AOC by campervan.
The BIVB is driving the project, along with the Syndicat des Bourgogne. The short format was selected to appeal to new consumers. Bourgogne plus a geographical denomination AOCs, such as Bourgogne Epineuil, Bourgogne Côtes du Couchois, and Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits, are ripe for exploration by Bourgogne wine fans and tourists alike, because they are produced across the entire Bourgogne vineyards from the Auxerrois to the Côte Chalonnaise.
Marie & Alain meet up with winegrowers, visit tourism destinations, and explore the cultural richness of each terroir. Gastronomy is also featured, as they discover cheeses and other regional specialties.
Le Mois des Climats – or Climats Month – runs from 3 June to 17 July. It offers around 60 fun-packed, unusual, and tempting events, including themed tastings, strolls through the vines, heritage tours, landscape readings, exhibitions, shows, and workshops for kids, located from Dijon to Beane and right down to the Saône-et-Loire.
A festival of exceptional events:
What makes Le Mois des Climats so special is the exceptional nature of the events on the program. There’s never any suggestion of repetition with a vast range of entertainment designed by locals, tourism providers, winegrowers, NGO, local businesses, and local authorities, each bringing their own perspective of the Climats.
Favorites:
Throughout Le Mois des Climats, some of the events have a “Coup de Coeur” or “Favorites” label, awarded by a jury.
Five trade shows exclusively dedicated to British, American, Canadian, and Japanese market influencers.
During these press and industry events, the BIVB is offering a full Bourgogne immersion through a series of workshops and tastings. At all the events, the winegrowers and négociants themselves will be presenting their wines, apart from the Japanese edition, which, for practical reasons, will see importers doing the presentations.
The main goal of these trade shows will be to promote Bourgogne wines that offer a very good quality-price-pleasure radio. Producers and industry people will be able to meet up and network in a convivial atmosphere.
Each event will involve:
* Tastings with producers, négociants, or importers who will, as a priority, be presenting wines that offer an excellent quality-price-pleasure ratio
* A press conference about Bourgogne wines, covering the latest news and future challenges (see article below)
* Workshops dedicated to certain appellations
This is a must-see series of events for industry players in these parts of the world.
Â
Export: A conference on future of the Bourgogne wines
The Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) will be holding an open press conference on the region’s future during its professional tastings in UK, Canada, USA, and Japan.
An industry representative will be speaking to the press and a number of industry professionals and will showcase the industry’s upcoming challenges and projects.
The situation in Bourgogne may seem enviable after record export sales in 2021. However, the region’s industry players know they have many challenges to meet. They are now having to think about adapting their vineyards to climate change, while meeting the many social expectations of consumers. To do this, budgetary choices have been made and research projects launched.
Laurent Delaunay, Co-President of the BIVB, in London; Anne Moreau, Vice President of the BIVB Communication Commission in North America; and Michel Barraud, President of the BIVB Communication Commission in Tokyo, will discuss issues facing the industry and the work it is doing to guarantee sustainability and bring modernity to this centuries-old winegrowing region.
Sales of white Bourgogne wines largely dominate the Swedish market, even though red wines are making steady progress.
They represent 46% of the volume of French white wine appellations exported in 2021 to the country. Indeed, for the past two decades, growth in exports of Bourgogne wines to Sweden have been mainly concentrated on this color.
Exports of Bourgogne wines to Sweden were stable in terms of volume in 2021 (down 0.9% over 2020), after setting a new record in 2020. Volumes are set at around 6.2 million bottles 75cl.
Exports to Sweden have historically been driven by white wines, and in 2021, they represented 56% of volumes exported (up 1.1% over 2020) and 55% of revenue (up 4.8% over 2020), setting two records: 3.5 million bottles for €20.7 million.
Red Bourgogne wines accounted for 17% of volumes and 22% of revenue. Since 2016, this color has enjoyed strong growth in terms of volume, up 3% in 2021 compared to 2020, which is up 29% compared to the five-year average between 2016-2020. Revenue from red wine exports is following a similar pattern.
Crémant de Bourgogne wines account for 27% of volumes exported. Sweden is the second export market for the appellation!
Sales of Bourgogne wines to the Swedish alcohol sales monopoly continued to grow in 2021, for the eighth consecutive year. They hit a new record in terms of revenue, at 816 million SEK, thanks to sales that grew to 5.4 million bottles in 2021. These sales accounted for around 88% of volumes exported to Sweden.
Figures for the hotel and restaurant sector are unknown.
The Château du Clos de Vougeot launches a new season
The tourism season has been launched at the Château du Clos de Vougeot with a rich program to take full advantage of this exceptional place all summer long.
The teams from this exceptional center for Bourgogne heritage is once again offering a varied range of activities for tourists to respond to visitors’ expectations.
“CISTERCIUM" EXHIBITION
Exhibition of work by local artisan Alain Prudhomme until 31 October 2022. Some 45 original ceramics inspired by 12th and 13th century illuminated initials from manuscripts from Cîteaux will be on display in the chateau’s winery.
GUIDED TOURS
Guided tours are organized every day at the chateau. They provide a wonderful opportunity to explore this historical monument, cradle of winemaking in Bourgogne.
HIKING IN BOURGOGNE
Download a free phone and tablet app from the App Store, Google Store, or Play Store, and take your time to discover the heritage treasures of the Côte d’Or, and the Château du Clos de Vougeot in particular.
“TAPESTRIES & WINE” EXHIBITION
In keeping with its vocation to promote culture and wine tourism, the Château du Clos de Vougeot is hosting an exceptional exhibition of tapestries illustrating the world of wine from the 17th to the 20th century. It will be on display until 31 August in the Grand and Petit Celliers (entrance price included in the admission fee).
A SENSORIAL EXPERIENCE IN THE HEART OF THE CLIMATS
From Tuesday to Sunday, visitors can enjoy a sensory experience by reservation only. This offer includes a self-guided tour of the chateau, along with a commented tasting of five Bourgogne wines that have been awarded the Tastevinage label.
LA TABLE DE LÉONCE
For a complete wine tourism offer that combines culture with gastronomy, visit its restaurant, La Table de Léonce. It proposes a tasting lunch where you can explore Bourgogne wines while enjoying simple yet refined dishes that are typical of the region.
On the last Saturday in June, the Elégance des Volnay non-profit association of wine producers, is hosting a one-day event to promote the Volnay AOC. The event, which has run since 2005, is organized in partnership with the Organisme de Défense et de Gestion (ODG) management body, and the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB).
This year, President of the association, Nathalie Gente, is delighted to be welcoming Ludivine Griveau, winemaker of the Hospices de Beaune, as the event’s ambassador.
The aim of the day is to raise awareness of the Volnay appellation amongst industry professionals and the general public with regard to two key aspects: Elegance and femininity.
A tasting of 27 domaines in the appellation will be held from 10:30am to 5pm.
Meeting point: The Place de la Mairie in Volnay
Tasting kits (glass, hat, tasting booklet, and pen) cost €10
Tasting location: The winery of the Domaine Jean-Marc & Thomas Bouley (10 chemin de la Cave in Volnay).
At 3pm, visitors can join a hike to discover Volnay’s Premier Cru wines and enjoy a landscape reading and commentary from Françoise Vannier. By reservation: glantenay@free.fr
The eighth edition of Chardonnay Day will hit the village of… Chardonnay
On the Thursday before Memorial Day in the USA, winegrowers in the Mâconnais are putting the Chardonnay back into the village of Chardonnay in Bourgogne.
Universal and exclusive are the buzz words for this event.
The Chardonnay grape is celebrated around the world but its origins are in Bourgogne, and more specifically in the village of Chardonnay in the South of Bourgogne (northern Mâconnais).
Empowered by this historical exception, 13 wine estates producing the Mâcon-Chardonnay AOC and their partners are inviting you to return to the roots of the most famous white wine on the planet on Thursday 26 May, in the heart of the village of Chardonnay.
The day will be filled with entertainment and festivities.
The project began to take shape in 2021 after a meeting between the Faiveley family and the Rodin Museum.
"Our family had the great fortune to meet Auguste Rodin in his youth, thanks to Maurice Fenaille, the uncle of our great-grandmother Marthe. We wanted to host this sculpture in memory of the special relationship our family had with Auguste Rodin and as a tribute to this timeless artist," said Erwan Faiveley. Maurice Fenaille was a pioneer in the oil industry who was a great art lover, collector, and patron. In 1885, he met Auguste Rodin, became his patron, and commissioned several works from him.
The Kiss is now located in the center of the patio in the winery, which was completely renovated between 2016 and 2018. During Le Mois des Climats, which runs from 3 June to 17 July (see article above), the patio of this historic wine house (38 rue du Tribourg in Nuits-Saint-Georges), will be open to the public to give visitors the opportunity to contemplate this original work.
The Coopérative Bourguignonne has had a makeover and is introducing a new range of packaging across its entire range. The aim is threefold: To improve the positioning of the Nuiton-Beaunoy brand, to promote its role as producer on the Côte d’Or, and to boost pride amongst its member winegrowers.
The Album Communication community in the Saône-et-Loire department was charged with redesigning the brand’s visual communication. It came up with a more streamlined logo with a signature that reaffirms the values of its producers and its local commitment.
Visuals for all communications focus on a representation of the Climats and underscore Nuiton-Beaunoy’s place in Bourgogne.
The graphic design of the packaging for each appellation range (the Bourgogne Régionale, Bourgogne, Village, Village Premier Cru, Grand Cru, as well as the Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru Clos du Chapitre AOCs) was the task of the Médiane Création agency in Paris.
The capsule, collar and brand block now offer more purity, elegance, and a splash of color. More sophisticated paper stock is used for certain appellations.
Bourgogne vs. Burgundy: to re-affirm their identity, the region and the producers are reverting back to the original French iteration of the name, Bourgogne.
EN DIRECT 9 issues per year, published by
Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bourgogne
12 Boulevard Bretonnière - BP 60150 - F-21204 BEAUNE CEDEX
Tel. 00 33 (0)3 80 25 04 80
DIRECTOR: SYLVAIN NAULIN
EDITOR IN CHIEF: CECILE MATHIAUD – cecile.mathiaud@bivb.com
TRANSLATOR: SARAH JACKSON
For access to our press release archive and thousands of rights-free photos,
go to our on-line pressroom at: www.bourgogne-wines.com
COPYING OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS NEWSLETTER FOR FAIR USE IS AUTHORISED