Le Méal 2022

In the Rhône Valley, the arrival of spring is timid and slow. First sign of rainfall deficit, only 70 mm of rain in Tain l'Hermitage in the first quarter... Rarely has a month of May been so dry. We are already facing temperatures above 30°C. It was not until June, with nearly 90 mm of rainfall, that the growth of the vines got a new boost. The first wave of the sub-Saharan heatwave followed on 15 June, moving up the Rhône Valley. The earliest heatwave ever observed in France. We do everything possible to preserve the foliage of the vine, to protect the budding bunches and to avoid the phenomenon of scalding. We maintain a plant cover to protect the soil from excessive temperatures. Throughout the summer, the winegrowers mobilise and apply infusions of camomile and yarrow to relieve and preserve the foliage of the vines and prevent the acidity of the berries from being burnt. Finally, even if the main lines of 2022 are in line with those of the sunny vintages, patience has been rewarded, as the gradual ripening at the beginning of September has allowed us to gain in fullness and finesse.