The French agricultural ministry has released a report projecting that the production of French wine for the current year will closely align with the average output of the past five years.
According to the ministry’s statement, the anticipated overall wine production is expected to fall within the range of 44 million to 47 million hectolitres based on current estimations. This projection falls comfortably within the established five-year average range of 44.5 to 46.1 million hectolitres.
While the outlook is generally positive, there are variations in different regions. Champagne and Burgundy exhibit more favorable prospects compared to Bordeaux, which has been grappling with disease outbreaks in 2023.
The ministry highlighted that the weather conditions experienced in May and June contributed to the development of mildew in Bordeaux and across southwestern France’s vineyards. This situation has introduced an element of uncertainty in the forecasts for these areas.
In light of these challenges, the ministry has initiated a comprehensive survey focusing on mildew. The primary objective of this survey is to gain insights from the severe impact of mildew on this year’s harvest, with the aim of mitigating risks in the future.
The ministry emphasized that the year 2023 has been marked by intense mildew pressure once again. The level of impact on untreated controls appears comparable to the years 2018 or 2021. However, the severity of the attacks on treated plots, particularly those of Merlot, is unprecedented in scale.
The recent developments coincide with the establishment of a helpline by the local agricultural authority in Bordeaux. This helpline has been introduced to provide assistance to “traumatised” winegrowers who are grappling with the devastating consequences of a second wave of mildew.
The ministry’s report sheds light on the complex dynamics affecting this year’s French wine production and underscores the concerted efforts being made to understand and address the challenges faced by the industry.
