Violent hailstorms have wrought havoc on vineyards across south-west France, resulting in the destruction of thousands of hectares of vines and devastating wine production in several regions. The relentless storms persisting since May 15 have left a trail of destruction, including a rare tornado in northern France and remarkable ‘red sprites’ sightings along the southern coast near Nice.
In the Var region, particularly in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (Paca) area, last week’s stormy weather wreaked havoc on vineyards. The latest blow came on Sunday when a brief but ferocious hailstorm struck near Limoux in Aude, causing substantial damage. Local vignerons reported over 1,000 hectares of vineyards damaged, with some areas experiencing total production loss of up to 100%.
Devastated by the prospect of an entire year’s harvest being wiped out, vignerons face dire financial implications, with one lamenting the loss of income expected in 2025 due to the decimated harvest.
The erratic spring weather has compounded the challenges for vignerons across France, with severe frosts in April already disrupting production. In Aude, vignerons are now seeking state assistance to mitigate their losses.
The severity of the storm was underscored by dramatic scenes in Dijon, where hail pounded the town centre, leaving streets inundated with several centimeters of hail and rainwater.
Although no widespread flooding has been reported, the French weather service, Météo France, has issued high-alert warnings for Gironde and Charente-Maritime due to the risk of flooding.
The forecast remains unsettled for the coming days, with Météo France predicting localized storms across the country until Friday. However, a respite is anticipated from May 24 onwards, offering hope for recovery and relief for the storm-battered regions.
