April frost decimates French wine harvest

April’s frosty temperatures will have huge consequences for a part of the French wine production. The Bordeaux region’s vineyards in particular were hit very hard: half of this year’s harvest may be lost.

350 million bottles

The frost damage depends on the vine, because some manufacturers estimate only to lose about 15 to 30 % of their production, while others fear losing the entire harvest. Bernard Farges, head of the Bordeaux wine syndicate, told Reuters that 2017’s wine production could end with 350 million fewer bottles. The wine industry stands to lose 1.1 to 1.2 billion euro, including loss of income for suppliers.

Not only Bordeaux was hit by frost. Cognac, Bergerac and Lot-en-Garonne, the Elzas, Bourgogne, Champagne and Languedoc all suffered damage despite efforts to limit the effect through torches, gas burners or water sprinklers.

It is not yet clear what this will mean for the price consumers will have to pay. 2015 and 2016 were excellent years, so there should be plenty of supplies.