The generic body representing 5,000 vine-growing and winemaking operators in the Rhône valley expects harvesting to start on September 10 in the southern Rhône and from September 17 in the northerly regions.

A decrease of 9% for Appellation wines is predicted, according to the French Ministry of Agriculture’s Statistics and Forecasting Service, that is in line with overall national trends inFrance.

Inter-Rhône chairman Christian Paly said: “The Rhône Valley is not so badly affected by the potential downward trend in overall yield predicted nationally. We have enjoyed excellent weather conditions, and the Rhône Valley’s wine professionals remain calm and unruffled”.