Fires, droughts and frost have badly damaged France's wine harvest
France's wine output is expected to fall 12 percent this year, the agriculture ministry has estimated, after spring frosts followed by summer heat waves took a heavy toll on vineyards across the country.
Overall production is estimated to reach 43.4 million hectolitres (1.15 billion gallons), down from 49.4 million hectolitres last year.
That would be about four percent below average production over the past five years, the ministry added.
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Fires raged in Generac, southern France, at the start of August. Photo: AFP
Large swathes of France were hit by cold snaps last spring that killed off young grape clusters or stunted their growth, in particular in the west.
The country then experienced a series of heat waves, including a fierce episode in late July when temperatures soared to over 40C in places, withering grapes on the vine, in particular in the south.
Wildfires in southern France also destroyed some vineyards.
European and US researchers later determined that July had been the hottest month on record across the globe.
The agriculture ministry said rains in early August managed to limit the losses in some areas, though hailstorms damaged several vineyards in the Beaujolais region, famous for its young "nouveau" wines that hit shelves worldwide each November.
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Overall production is estimated to reach 43.4 million hectolitres (1.15 billion gallons), down from 49.4 million hectolitres last year.
That would be about four percent below average production over the past five years, the ministry added.
READ ALSO
- Bordeaux v Burgundy - which wine is better?
- How to taste wine like a professional (according to French experts)
- What you really sign up for when you agree to help with the grape picking
Fires raged in Generac, southern France, at the start of August. Photo: AFP
Large swathes of France were hit by cold snaps last spring that killed off young grape clusters or stunted their growth, in particular in the west.
The country then experienced a series of heat waves, including a fierce episode in late July when temperatures soared to over 40C in places, withering grapes on the vine, in particular in the south.
Wildfires in southern France also destroyed some vineyards.
European and US researchers later determined that July had been the hottest month on record across the globe.
The agriculture ministry said rains in early August managed to limit the losses in some areas, though hailstorms damaged several vineyards in the Beaujolais region, famous for its young "nouveau" wines that hit shelves worldwide each November.
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