French wine production expected to drop 8% for 2016 due to poor spring weather
French wine production is expected to decline 8% for the 2016 harvest following the damaging hailstorms and spring frost which hit several different areas across the country according to the French Minister of Agriculture Stéphane Le Foll.
French wine production is expected to decline 8% for the 2016 harvest following the damaging hailstorms and spring frost which hit several different areas across the country according to the French Ministry of Agriculture.
"This drop from a year ago of estimated production is mainly the result of the spring frost that hit some viticulture areas," said the ministry.
Overall wine production is forecasted to hit 44.1 million hectolitres for the 2016 harvest and this assuming no other weather challenges arise between now and what is anticipated to be a late harvest.
According to a report released last week different wine producing regions have been affected differently.
Champagne has been one of the worst hit areas, with production expecting to be down -32% year on year according to the report The area experienced several days of frost in the spring which destroyed 4,600 hectares and now the area is facing mildew and botrytis rot, which are causing additional problems. The vines currently about a week behind in development.
Loire Valley producers have faced equally challenging times. Production is also forecasted to be down -32% year on year. The Loire was also affected by the end of April frost, with vines currently ten days behind and severe mildew currently a major challenge.
Burgundy and Beaujolais also suffered due to the frost in the spring, which damaged an estimated 10,000 hectares to varying degrees. Production in Burgundy and Beaujolais is expected to be down -23%.
"Damage related to the hail in Charentes and Burgundy-Beaujolais also reduces the production potential," said the ministry.
Bordeaux and the Languedoc-Roussillon regions are currently faring well comparatively. Bordeaux production is just slightly behind compared to last year, mildew is under control and the region was not affected by the late April frosts. Patches in the Languedoc-Roussillon region were hit by frost but most producers were spared and there was limited hail in the region. Production is only expected to be down slightly (1%) year on year for the region.
Keywords:
Search
56-58 Church Walk, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 9AN
Registered in England No. 6646125. VAT No. 938 4452 95
