Hike in wine prices leaves a sour taste
THE price of French and Italian wine is likely to go up after poor weather hit this year’s grape harvest.
In Italy production fell 25% on 2016, while France had an 18% downturn.
Vineyards blamed freak spring frosts followed by a summer drought.
Jerome Despey, of wine committee FranceAgriMer, said: “In places where we thought there would be a little less, there’s a lot less.”
Brits could be worst hit by a price rise due to the weak pound. European producers fear drinkers could turn to cheaper alternatives from Australia, California and Chile.
Expert Philippe de Cantenac said winemakers would have to put prices up “but not cut themselves off from their markets”.