http://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2016/09/ ... ne-harvest
Everything that could go wrong did in Champagne's most difficult harvest in almost 60 years.
A late burst of fine weather saved the harvest as Champagne experienced one of its most complicated growing seasons since the 1950s.
Severe spring frosts in late April destroyed two thirds of the potential harvest in the Côte des Bars, while other sub-regions were hit to a lesser extent. Incessant rain from May through July created the ideal climatic conditions for mildew and more losses were suffered. Then hail storms in mid-July added more damage and, by the time the CIVC set the appellation yields at 10,800 kilograms per hectare at the end of July, the average actual yield was estimated at 7200 kg/ha.
Hopes sank further at the beginning of August when the continuing humidity added grey rot to the mildew pressure; at that time many growers began to leaf pluck to promote aeration in an attempt to slow down disease. However, this move backfired a little later in the month when temperatures soared above 30C (86F), causing grapes to burn and shrivel on the vines.
