If there was one word to describe this 2022 Bordeaux vintage, it would undoubtedly be “record-breaking”.

A RECORD-BREAKING VINTAGE, FIRST DANS FOREMOST BECAUSE OF THE CLIMATE

Spring temperatures were particularly high (1 to 3 degrees above the seasonal average), and rainfall was scarce during the first months of the year. With the exception of frost in April and hail in June, “the growing season has been rather ‘easy’,” reports Sophie Blanc*. 

With a low threat of vine diseases and very moderate grass growth, it was indeed easy to limit tractor use. Then it was up to each winegrower to make wise choices to help their vineyards withstand the heat and drought as best as possible, and even take advantage of the weather conditions. “For example, mechanical weeding had to be well-positioned to allow for smooth and efficient management of competition between the vines and the grass,” explains the tutor. As for green pruning, carefully considered decisions had to be made, “protecting the grapes from the sun and heat by not thinning the leaves and lightening the vine’s load at the risk of a smaller harvest, etc.” 

The 2022 vintage also hinged on decisions made in the past. For example, “the vines that have laid down deep roots thanks to decades of effective ploughing reacted better to the drought, had greener leaves and thinner grape skins”. 

The other ally in producing a successful vintage was the terroir in Bordeaux. Clay-limestone soils were favoured over well-drained gravel soils thanks to their water retention capacity.

A RECORD-BREAKING VINTAGE DUE TO THE EARLY HARVEST

This year, the harvest took place an average of fifteen to twenty days earlier than usual in Bordeaux. Even though the sugar levels were reached, phenolic ripeness was not always attained. As a result, the grapes were firmly attached and did not fall off easily when the machine passed through the vines. For those who could, manual harvesting was a valuable tool. 

The first bunches were picked from 16 August, starting with the Crémants and dry white wines on the earliest-ripening terroirs. Harvesting then became widespread around 26 August for the rosé, and then from the beginning of September for the first Merlot.

WHAT ARE THE FLAVOUR PROFILES OF THE 2022 VINTAGE?

These conditions were conducive to wonderfully ripe and healthy grapes right until the harvest, but resulted in small berries overall due to water stress (with grapes 15% to 30% lighter in weight than the previous vintage and lighter than the five-year-average in Bordeaux at the same stage during véraison). 

Alternating hot days and cool nights at the end of the growth cycle also encouraged aromatic complexity and concentration, with a good balance between acidity and freshness. 

Wise choices were key for this 2022 vintage, for winegrowers and winemakers alike.

“We had to be very careful with alcoholic fermentation because of an above-average alcohol content in certain vats. Plus, there were various deficiencies possibly linked to developmental issues the plant suffered due to a lack of water during the summer,” explains Sophie Blanc. “Malolactic fermentation started very easily, often even before racking. During de-vatting, sugar levels sometimes increased due to grapes that had not split (because of their thick skins). Again, we had to pay careful attention and take action accordingly.” 

In conclusion, “the 2022 Bordeaux vintage was not all that easy but looks nonetheless very good in the vat, both from an analytical and organoleptic point of view!”, assures the tutor.

For more details and key figures, download the CIVB press release. 

*Business development and marketing consultant for winegrowers and winegrowers’ groups, and winegrower at the Domaine Les Carmels (Cadillac Côtes-de-Bordeaux appellation).