Hailstones Threaten Burgundy's Vineyards, 2013 And 2014 Vintages

Poor weather has done irreparable damage to Burgundy vineyards, reports Reuters, that could result in losses totaling 90 percent. 

Thanks to a round of hailstorms this last week, vineyards are preparing for the worst — and hoping that the 2013 and 2014 vintages aren't too affected. "It is awful to see these vines ripped by hail and several years of wine growers' work destroyed by the weather in one afternoon," Xavier de Volontat, the head of France's independent winemakers, said to Reuters. 

The area particularly hurt by the hailstones was the Côte de Beaune region, reports Wine Spectator; the region, already hurting from bad weather in 2010, 2011, and 2012, was hoping for a return to normal weather conditions in 2013. It's too early to tell just how bad the damage is, both in the out of wine and the quality of wines. But it's safe to say that the 2013 vintage, to come out in 2015, will be a hard-to-find wine, especially because of increasing Burgundy sales.