Library: Fires burn to keep vines warm
More than a third of French wine will be lost this year after freezing temperatures have destroyed vines across the country.
Nearly £2 billion will be lost in sales because of the rare weather conditions.
French Agricultural Minister Julien Denormandie said:
“This is probably the greatest agricultural catastrophe of the beginning of the 21st century.”
He said the Government was preparing for an “agricultural disaster”.
The damage to crops was worsened because the cold snap was preceded by warm weather.
The warmth had encouraged vines to grow earlier than usual.
The frost damage has affected vineyards in Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Rhône Valley and Provence.
Wine growers have been lighting fires and candles by their vines to try to ward off the cold.
Fruit and vegetable farmers have also been hit.
