INDUSTRY COMMENT:

Flooding in Provence: the aftermath

Tom Schreckinger, Chateau d’Esclans, reports on the ensuing havoc the rain storm wreaked on the Var.

As we understand it, the aftermath of the horrific flooding in our region following nearly 24 hours of rain is that approximately 200 people lost their lives and over 700 went to clinics to be treated. Topographically, vineyards in the flat lands were inundated to the point of significant vine loss. The town of Le Muy’s major shopping centre was badly flooded and subsequently closed for repairs, which will be on going for some time to come.

President Sarkozy toured the Var and declared it a Region Sinistree. Some parts of the region including this property [Chateau d’Esclans] were without electricity for almost two days.

People who have lived here for many years claim never having seen anything like this.

Forty millimetres per square metre fell.

From this wine maker’s perspective, we managed to get through it and July is moving forward accordingly.

Interestingly and characteristically there hasn’t been much rain since the storm and meteorologists are predicting this summer to be among the hottest in France, which means quite hot and possibly very dry in Provence.

During the past 10 days the grapes on Chateau d’Esclans’ vines have grown to be noticeably larger in size suggesting an accelerated pace of growth after the rains. Drainage is swift on the hillsides of the terroir surrounding the property, which boded favourably for the higher elevated parcels though there was mud that slid down to the parcels at lower elevation.

A secondary – positive - impact to the heavy rain fall is that the wild boar, of which there are scores in this area, will be more likely to stay in the forest as the rain water will be in abundance for them to drink. Plus the flooding will have churned the earth creating upheaval and easier access to their delicacy of choice - earthworms.

The good news is that these conditions in the forest will, for the moment, pre-empt their inclination to come towards the vineyards at night and eat grapes hanging from the vines located in accessible areas that aren’t protected by electric fences.

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