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Challenges Face French Wine Industry Amidst Unfavorable Weather
This year has been particularly challenging for the French wine sector, with adverse weather conditions wreaking havoc on vineyards, especially in the Jura region.
Severe rainfall, hail, and the spread of mildew have significantly impacted the wine harvest in eastern France’s Jura, leaving many producers in distress. The Jura, known for its unique microclimate and located between the renowned Burgundy region and Switzerland, boasts approximately 200 vineyards across 2,000 hectares.
The distinctive flavors of Jura wines, including the esteemed white wine known as “Vin Jaune” (yellow wine), are a result of the region’s elevated terrain and cooler climate. Unfortunately, winegrowers are bracing for a staggering 71 percent decrease in production this year, as forecasted by government estimates.
A major factor contributing to this decline was a frost event in April, which devastated many young vines. As Benoit Sermier, a local winegrower, described, “The vines had already grown shoots of three or four centimeters. Those leaves were very thin and fragile, and sub-zero temperatures destroyed them, costing us 60 percent of the harvest.”
Concerns Over Low Yield
Despite expectations for a high-quality yield this year, the lack of quantity places winegrowers in a vulnerable position. Sermier emphasized that previous frosts had already jeopardized their ability to maintain stock for less productive years, intensifying current challenges faced by the cooperative he leads.
Additionally, relentless rains during July exacerbated the situation, requiring winegrowers to frequently apply protective treatments every few days, according to Patrick Rolet, an organic wine producer. The extreme wet conditions have been unprecedented in many growers’ memories and have paved the way for mildew outbreaks, which pose a threat to entire vineyards.
Olivier Badoureaux, director of the Jura winegrowers committee, remarked, “Our losses are historic compared to the past 25 years.” As a result of these weather-related setbacks, France’s overall wine production is projected to fall by nearly 20 percent this year, according to the agriculture ministry, which estimates a drop to 39.3 million hectoliters from prior forecasts of 43 million hectoliters.
Regional Impacts and Broader Trends
The Jura region, while suffering notably, is not alone in this decline. The Charente region in southwest France is also projected to experience a substantial 35 percent drop in wine production, attributed to fewer grape bunches and insufficient flowering due to consistently humid conditions.
Regions such as Val de Loire and Burgundy-Beaujolais are expected to report above-average losses as well. Champagne production is forecasted to decrease by 16 percent yet remain approximately eight percent above its five-year average.
The adverse weather effects are further compounded by an ongoing trend among winegrowers to reduce vineyard sizes in response to diminishing wine consumption within France, particularly concerning red wines. This multifaceted situation points to a tumultuous period for the French wine industry ahead, with both growers and consumers bracing for the implications of this year’s harvest.
Source
phys.org