They had, however, taken it well in advance. As of this summer, Bergerac winegrowers ordered around twenty antifreeze towers in the United States to limit losses in the event of a drop in temperature. An episode of frost is likely to occur this Sunday and Monday, but the towers have still not arrived. “They sail somewhere between Seattle and France”notes Eric Chadourne, president of the Bergerac and Duras wine federation, with a touch of humour. Due to shortages of raw materials and some delays in international trade, the order is way behind schedule. It will arrive after the announced frost episode. “We are collateral victims, it is completely beyond us”adds the winegrower, who wants to remain a philosopher.
We are collateral victims
The Bergerac winegrowers will therefore have to fight against the frost with the 22 towers they have in their possession. It only covers a few hundred hectares out of the 12,000 hectares of Bergeracois. Antifreeze towers are very expensive, up to 45,000 euros per round. Winegrowers therefore place orders together, to pool costs. This tool protects the vines from frost, down to -2°C. Already last year, the order from the Bergerac winegrowers was very late, due to the blockage in the Suez Canal. The story repeats itself.