2023-08-07 17:25:48
In between 10 and 15% of the vines of the AOC Côtes de Toul are sick, affected by a powdery mildew attack unprecedented. “Normally it is rather mildewraises Thomas Colson, winegrower at the Domaine de l’Ambroisie. Bad luck, this year mildew is in Bordeaux and in the South of France, we have rather powdery mildew.” The spread of this fungus, noted in July by producers, was favored by humidity, temperature variations and wind.
“Some damage from one plot to another”
“Indeed over the last fifteen and twenty years, it is the biggest attack of powdery mildew that we have had“, says Thomas Colson. He hastens to add that she was “mastered“. In his domain of 8 and a half hectares, in sustainable viticulture, he had no other choice with his partner than to use synthetic products to block the evolution of the fungus.
“In 2022, we used Bordeaux mixture and sulfur, like an organic winemaker. It’s like homeopathy, you take it when everything is fine. When we have an attack of disease, we take antibiotics. It’s not light hearted.” It is above all organic winegrowers who are the most affected by powdery mildew, despite the use of sulfur and orange peel.
A crucial period
The good news is that veraison is approaching. A crucial stage for viticulture: the grain swells, fills with sugar and changes color. If all goes well, powdery mildew will no longer be able to attack. On the other hand, for remove the risk to see the feet to rot, it is necessary that the good weather, dry, settles. “We’re going to put a candle“, jokes the Lorraine winemaker.
The harvest is scheduled for mid-September in Toulois. The Domaine de l’Ambroisie is looking for candidates, holders of the B permit, to help them pick up the grapes.
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