2007 could be very exciting for white Burgundy – provided growers had the patience to wait long enough before they picked. The pinot vines were pretty much ready by the end of August but the chardonnays, though healthy, were clearly not yet ripe and the leaves were still green enough and vigorous enough to be doing their job of photosynthesis.

Both Dominique Lafon and Jean-Philippe Fichet, having picked their reds and tried a white vineyard at the beginning of September, stopped until the week beginning Monday 10th before attacking the bulk of their Meursaults – and the weather was perfect all week, with crystal clear blue skies and a cool drying wind. There was much less acidity in the grapes, more sugar and above all much more taste.

It was as crucial to hold back in 2007 as it was not to delay in 2006 !

Jasper

So have you an early opinion of the 2007 white burgundies, I am sure you do, the question was really do you want to share it with me?

Harvesting is pretty much finished now. The big week was that of 3rd September but those who held off until this week were able to pick in glorious sunshine. The chardonnay really needed the extra time as this year it was much slower than the pinot to ripen.

I spent this morning picking Le Montrachet with Donminique Lafon and his team, Glorious golden grapes at perfect maturity! I tried not to eat too many as we only get a couple of cases of this wine.

Great job on the blog too – what a perfect way to keep up to date with all the latest news!!