Warmer weather in August helped the vines to mature fully. Harvesting In the north, harvesting started between 8 and 15 September with white grapes in Crozes-Hermitage and Condrieu and some of the early reds. In the south, picking began on 4 September. This year's harvest is expected to reach 2.6 million hectolitres, slightly down on the i996 total of 2.76 hectolitres. This shortfall can be explained by the frosts in April.
First tastings appear to show wines with great colour and wonderful bouquet.
Quantity will be down a little on last year. The Mistral and the Indian Summer encouraged a good harvest of grapes that had not enjoyed soaring temperatures earlier in the summer. I have never seen three weeks of harvesting without rain or dew. Only the volume is slightly lacking. We've just heard that until January 19th 1998 there are some wonderful offers on a selection of Rhone wines at Majestic Wines.