Most European winemakers are ready to make a prognosis on the quality of the 2012 vintage that, just a few months ago was still hanging on the vine, and which is now tucked in their cellars. Some white and rosé producers have begun bottling their early examples of the year - as of course have Beaujolais Nouveau producers, who finished their annual sales day just a week ago.
So what are the initial thoughts on 2012? The main headlines so far have been less about quality, and more about quantity - specifically the lack of it. The International Organisation of Vine and Wine has published figures indicating that wine output across the globe this year will be at the lowest levels since 1975. Volume globally is expected to be about 248.2 million hectolitres. France is almost 20 per cent down on last year, and in Hungary (where the sweet wine Tokaj is produced) volumes are 32 per cent lower.
The low figure is partly due to the vine grubbing programme, where producers have been encouraged to pull up uneconomic vines in recent years. This year has seen various extreme weather patterns. Across Europe, rain, mildew and poor fruit set (development) reduced quantities in the Loire, Chablis and Bordeaux regions, among others. Hail or frost affected Burgundy, Champagne and Austria.
In contrast, excessive heat and drought-like conditions reduced the harvest in Tuscany, Hungary, Portugal and northern Spain. In fact, among the EU wine-producing countries, only the production forecasts of Portugal and Greece are up - this is only in comparison to their very low 2011 output. Germany is only 3 per cent down.
Let's start off with rain. When it fell, there was lots of it, which caused the rampant spread of mildew across many vineyards. This has meant some vineyards announcing they will make no wine in 2012 - among them Nyetimber, the leading sparkling producer in England, cru bourgeois Chateau Hourtin-Ducasse in Bordeaux, and Jean Foillard with his Beaujolais Nouveau.
Most producers in these regions have managed to get their grapes to the cellar - and indeed many can expect to make excellent wine, as long as they have been attentive during the growing season and careful while picking. The rest depends on what happens in the cellars.