Some hail damage in Central Vineyards

August 2008 – Hail damage in Saint-Andelain (Pouilly) from storm 24th June 08

Parts of the Central Vineyards were hit by a hail storm during the night of 7th/8th May. It is too early to estimate the extent of any damage. "The hail was more widespread than usual," says Benoît Roumet, director of the Bureau du Centre. Morogues (Menetou-Salon) was badly hit. Also there was hail at the Bois Guibault (Pouilly) and various parts of Sancerre. It is too early to know how much damage the hail has caused. We will have to wait until the flowering to see."

Benoît Roumet, director of the Bureau du Centre, in the vineyards of Pouilly

Hail is always a risk and it is rare for the Loire to escape some hail damage somewhere in the vineyard each year. France Meteo is forecasting localised storms for Sunday evening.

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Unfortunately parts of Bordeaux appear to have been more seriously hit with hail than the Loire.