Late frosts

At the end of March, and the beginning of April, the vines start to burst into life. Unfortunately, it’s also the time when we often get a late frost in Champagne. If ice forms in the little buds it splits them open and kills the new growth. The frosts this year will get down to at least -2ºC, so many of the vignerons are taking measures to ensure their crops aren’t damaged. The two traditional methods for this are using heat and fans to raise the temperature in the vineyards, or freezing them in a controlled way. Freezing the vines may sound like a silly way to stop them getting ice damage, but it’s the way they freeze that’s important. The vignerons use sprinklers to form layer on layer of ice on the vines, causing the outside to freeze, but the inside to stay warm, preventing the ice from forming inside the bud. It’s a spectacular thing to see, and even more wonderful to see the little buds safe in their ice cocoon.

We woke our friends up early to drive up and see the display as the sun rose.

It’s such a spectacular sight.

Unfortunately our other friends that were due to arrive last night didn’t make it. They had an issue with their car just near Arras and ended up having to make the decision to go home. So disappointing for all. Hopefully we will get to see them later in the year.