French wine slump

PARIS: French wine production may fall 17% this year to a record low after spring frosts damaged vineyards, notably in the Bordeaux region.

The farm ministry estimated the wine production in France, the world’s second-largest producer, at 37 million to 38.2 million hectolitres, down from 45.5 million in 2016.

The median value, at 37.6 million hectolitres, would be less than last year’s, and 16% below average. That would be “historically low” and less than in 1991, when vines were also badly hit by frosts.

Wine growers used candles, heaters and even the downdraught from helicopters during the cold snap in April to try to save crops. – Reuters