Volumes are likely to decrease by 29% to just 33.3 million hl, with mildew fungus adding to a brutal harvest for French vignerons.

“The spring frosts cut down a good part of the production, which will be historically low, below those of 1991 and 2017,” said the agriculture ministry, referring to the two shortest harvests in modern history.

The Languedoc, Bordeaux and the Rhone are among the worst-hit areas. Production in the Champagne region is down by 36%.