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2026 Harvest at Calmel & Joseph – An early vintage marked by freshness and balance.

In the Languedoc-Roussillon, the harvest began from the first days of August with the white grape varieties, notably Sauvignon Blanc and Colombard. The first juices show beautiful balances between ripeness, aromatic expression and acidity, with yields that should be in line with the average of a standard vintage.

At Domaine Calmel & Joseph, we began the harvest on August 11 with the Pinot Noirs (the earliest date in our history), followed by Roussanne, Grenache Gris and Syrah. This advance of around ten days is naturally explained by the climatic conditions of the year, but also by a deliberate choice: to harvest relatively early in order to preserve the freshness, fruit, elegance and balance that constitute the signature of our wines.

The winter, particularly generous in water, fortunately made it possible to replenish the water reserves of the soils. This was a determining factor in the face of a particularly challenging summer, since from June 10 to August 19, rainfall was almost completely absent. In addition, temperatures were regularly close to 38°C, with peaks reaching 42°C. Despite these extreme conditions, the vines at the Domaine resisted remarkably well. The health of the grapes is excellent, yields are satisfactory and the first analytical and organoleptic balances are very encouraging.

☀️ During such a hot and early vintage, the challenge is therefore to harvest at the right time, in order to avoid over-ripeness and excessively high alcohol levels while preserving beautiful natural acidity. This search for balance also guides our work on our plot selections:

• Villa Blanche: preserving the pure expression of the grape variety, freshness and precision.
• Ams Tram Gram: maintaining the fruit, energy and drinkability.
• Les Terroirs and Les Crus: combining body, depth and freshness, without heaviness.

✨ It is still too early to draw a definitive assessment because some of the grapes are still on the vines and the winemaking processes have only just begun. Nevertheless, the first signs are particularly encouraging. There are beautiful acidities, the alcohol levels are controlled, the wines are fruity and the balances are precise. At Calmel & Joseph, the 2026 vintage will undoubtedly be a sunny and early vintage, but one marked by freshness, elegance and balance.

To be discovered soon !