from the Guardian, May 2. News of more damage from global warmingEnglish winemakers are reporting "catastrophic" crop damage after the worst frost in a generation wiped out at least half of this year's grape harvest.
Chris White, the chief executive of Denbies Wine Estate in Surrey, said up to 75% of its crop was damaged by last week's sub-zero temperatures:
[began Tues April 25 but it takes a few days for the damage to manifest]
"The temperature dropped to -6C and at that level it causes catastrophic damage to buds," he said.
White said staff had worked in vain using special fans and heaters to protect the vineyard, which at 265 acres in the UK's biggest, after an Arctic blast swept across the UK. "We are very disappointed and it's quite heartbreaking for the people who work in the vineyard all year round," he said. "From what I hear the majority of English vineyards have been affected to some degree."
Some of France's most famous winemaking regions, including Champagne, Bordeaux and Burgundy, were also affected by last week's severe frosts.