Mixed year for French wine with strong champagne sales but Bordeaux affected.

Mixed year for French wine with strong champagne sales but Bordeaux affected.

French Wine Production Outlook for 2023: Contrasts and Uncertainty

Paris, Aug 8 – French wine production in 2023 is expected to be near the average of the last five years, with a favourable outlook in Champagne and Burgundy contrasting that in disease-hit Bordeaux, the French farm ministry said.

The world of French wine production is full of surprises and uncertainties, and the outlook for 2023 is no exception. According to the French farm ministry, the overall wine output is projected to be between 44 million and 47 million hectolitres, which encompasses both the five-year average of 44.5 million hectolitres and the 2022 output of 46.1 million hectolitres. This is good news for the wine industry, but there are some regional variations that need to be taken into account.

In Champagne and Burgundy, the outlook is positive. Ideal weather conditions during the flowering period and early summer rain have boosted grape growth, and the ministry expects wine output in these regions to surpass the five-year average. Despite some mildew cases, Burgundy remains a promising region for wine production. In Champagne, frost and hail caused limited damage this year, providing a relatively unscathed environment for grape cultivation.

However, the story is quite different in Bordeaux. Frequent storm showers and hot weather during May and June created the perfect conditions for mildew disease in the Bordeaux and Southwest growing regions. As a result, production forecasts for these areas are tentative and uncertain. Bordeaux producers face significant challenges, with disease losses compounding the falling demand for red wines, which are currently out of fashion with younger drinkers. In response to this decline, the government has offered aid to Bordeaux producers, attempting to support this struggling sector. The wine industry is also advocating for an expansion of funding for a distillation scheme to clear 3 million hectolitres of wine stocks, primarily in Bordeaux and Languedoc-Roussillon.

Jerome Despey, a producer in southern France and chair of farm office FranceAgriMer’s wine committee, describes the current situation as unprecedented: “We’ve never been in a situation with such uncertainty and contrasts.” The grape harvest is expected to return to a more typical schedule after an exceptionally early start last year, but the full extent of the harvest prospects won’t become clear until picking gets into full swing from late August.

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In addition to the challenges faced by Bordeaux, the Languedoc-Roussillon region is also dealing with a drought that is expected to lower output. However, the ministry emphasizes that the situation is generally favorable in other regions. The growth of grapes has been boosted by ideal weather conditions during the flowering period and early summer rain. Despite some mildew cases, Burgundy remains a promising region for wine production.

As the year progresses and the grape harvest begins, the French wine industry will closely monitor production levels and adapt accordingly. The uncertainties and contrasts present an opportunity for producers to be innovative and flexible in addressing the changing consumer preferences and market dynamics. With the government’s aid and support, the industry hopes to overcome the challenges faced by Bordeaux and Languedoc-Roussillon, while celebrating the favorable outlook in Champagne and Burgundy. Ultimately, 2023 holds the promise of another exciting chapter in the rich history of French wine production.

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