Bordeaux - Grape-pickers were out earlier than in any other year this century in several Bordeaux chateaux, giving rise to hopes of an excellent vintage.
"Statistically, the great vintages come from early picking, but early harvests don't all give great results," cautioned Mr Fabrice Fatin, director of the Pauillac wine and tourism centre in Medoc, adding that a hailstorm would be enough to spoil everything.
This year, harvesting started on Monday last, nearly a month ahead of the usual date.