Phew, it was hot in Southern France in June. The canicule broke records. 45.9 degrees Celcius was the highest temperature ever recorded in France. This is another sign of dangerous climate change although scientists are reluctant to claim that such a canicule can be directly attributed to climate change. The French government was well prepared this time to protect human life and fortunately the calamity of 2003 was avoided. In 2003 over 14,000 deaths were attributed to the heatwave in France.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_European_heat_wave
The heatwave in June devastated some of the vineyards in Southern France. Some growers lost 50% of their crop. Growers often use sulphur in the vineyard to protect the vines from mildew. If there is a heatwave the residual sulphur combines with the heat to dry out the leaves and fruit of the vines. However, some growers did not use sulphur this year and their vines were still destroyed. Some growers recorded 60 degree temperatures locally. Remember the recorded temperatures of 45 degrees C were shade temperatures. Vines are always exposed to the sun for good reason.
The temperatures reached in some vineyards were exacerbated by pebbles and small rocks which absorbed the heat and reflected it back to the vines. This process helps the vines to grow when temperatures cool down but of course when the air gets too hot the reflected heat damages the vines further.
The training of the vines helps to ameliorate the effects of heatwaves and some growers did not top and trim the foliage to the usual extent.
Some growers, in the far south of France, are now despairing for the future of their vineyards. This is a strong wake up call. Climate change could really be dangerous for all of us and our farms and vineyards.
Other growers further north, in Bordeaux, have been rejoicing about the hot weather - in a few years they may be suffering from the same problems of heatwaves - so watch out.
Human beings have been on the planet for thousands of years and have lived more less in harmony with nature. It is only in the last 250 years that industrialisation has led to damage to the environment.We had better be careful; the next 250 years could see our very existence on Earth being put into jeopardy as a result of our very own actions.
https://www.connexionfrance.com/French-news/French-vineyards-burned-in-intense-heatwave-damage-during-canicule-say-local-winemakers
https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/economie-social/la-canicule-provoque-une-catastrophe-dans-le-vignoble-des-pyrenees-orientales-1561989995
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