French wine production to rise this year

Deutsche Presse Agentur
Published: Wednesday September 6, 2006

Paris- The 2006 vintage of French wines will likely be abundant and of excellent quality, the National Office of Fruit, Wine and Horticulture Professionals (Viniflor) said Wednesday. This year's harvest is expected to produce 53.9 million hectolitres of wine, an increase of 1.1 per cent over 2005, Viniflor said in a statement released in Paris.

In addition, the quality of the grapes currently ripening on the vines appears promising, suggesting that this year's vintage will be very good, but only if it does not rain before the grapes are harvested.

"Everywhere, the grapes are considered beautiful and promising," Viniflor said. "The colour and the aroma suggest a vintage of very high quality."

A succession of very hot periods followed by weeks of cool, stormy weather between June and August appear to have been very good for the grapes.

However, Viniflor warned that "everything could change if it rains. That could lead to attacks of rot."

Grape harvesting has begun in only a few regions in France, as in Provence, the region around Bordeaux and the Beaujolais.

"For the moment, there are no problems and we are counting on a very good vintage," said Viniflor deputy director Andre Barlier. "But the weather must remain beautiful."

© 2006 DPA - Deutsche Presse-Agenteur