2024 Burgundy Vintage: A Challenging Canvas with Promising Hues By Philip Stephenson-Oliver
Last year’s 2024 vintage in Burgundy unfolded as a true test of both nature and craftsmanship. A winter of exceptional warmth and relentless rain—nearly double the usual October‑to‑March precipitation—set the stage for a season fraught with adversity. Early budbreak in March soon gave way to doubts as heavy rains, frost, and hail in late spring and early summer brought on widespread mildew, coulure, and millerandage—significantly reducing yields.
By some accounts, the harvest was dramatically diminished—potentially dropping by as much as 25–75% across the region. Even as certain appellations fared somewhat better, Burgundy producers faced what many called the smallest vintage in living memory.
And yet, amidst adversity, hope sprang. As late summer turned warmer and drier, the remaining grapes managed to strike an admirable balance of sugar and acidity—particularly in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Skilled vineyard managers, through meticulous harvesting and grape selection, preserved a level of ripeness that suggests commendable quality potential.
What began as a tale of loss turned into one of adaptation and endurance. The Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bourgogne (BIVB) and others remain cautiously optimistic: though scarce, the fruit may yield elegant, classically styled Burgundies—fresh, pure, and bearing the structure to age gracefully.
The ripple effects extend beyond barrels and cellars. Diminished supply sets the stage for heightened demand, and already Burgundy saw a rise in sales last year—partly fueled by scarcity and consumer interest—but this also suggests that softening prices will be unlikely anytime soon.
Put simply, the 2024 vintage in Burgundy embodies resilience. While volumes have fallen, the unwavering commitment to quality—by vignerons navigating unprecedented conditions—may yet produce wines that surprise and delight. Expect Burgundies of finesse and depth, with stories in every glass that reflect a season of struggle, ingenuity, and ultimately, understated beauty.