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Nick Dobson at Nick Dobson Wines specialises in Beaujolais wines (along with Maconnais, Chalonnaise, Swiss, Austrian & German wines). He really knows his Beaujolais and his website features the latest Vintage Harvest Report: "Earlier in the spring, the pattern of the vines flowering led growers to believe that harvesting would start in mid-September - not unusual for the Beaujolais. However a very hot dry summer has followed, with extensive drought conditions broken only by cooler weather and some patchy rain during the last week of August. These favourable weather conditions mean that the harvest is beginning earlier than anticipated; growers I deal with are reporting picking start dates varying from 5-9 September, on average more than a week ahead of normal. Not as early as the heatwave year of 2003, but still well ahead of schedule. A significant variation between night and daytime temperatures has encouraged concentration of coloured phenolics, so wines should be of good colour. Volumes too will be lower than normal - around 25% down on 2004 is the consensus - although in 2003 it was some 50% down on normal quantities. The actual number of bunches is fewer than normal, with smaller berries, resulting in an increase in concentration. Initial maturation test results are also looking very promising; the first sugar levels which have been measured are good and promise excellent potential alcohol levels. The condition of the fruit is excellent; I was in Beaujolais at the end of August and noted the very highly ripe healthy grapes hanging everywhere."
- see Nick Dobson Wines
For more info on French wines see www.frenchduck.co.uk/frenchwines.htm