French wine output seen at 36.9 million hectolitres, down 23
Champagne region most affected with 46 drop in production
All types of wines affected

PARIS, Nov 8 Reuters France39;s wine output is expected to fall by nearly a quarter this year after adverse weather hurt vineyards throughout the cycle with the Champagne region most hit, the French farm ministry said on Friday.

In a monthly report, the ministry projected wine output this year at 36.9 million hectolitres, down from 37.5 million forecast last month and now 23 below last year39;s small vintage when there had been major disparities between regions.

The revised forecast, based on the latest harvest results, was 17 below the fiveyear average of 44.2 million hectolitres.

A hectolitre is the equivalent of 100 litres, or 133 standard wine bottles.

This year was characterized by unfavorable weather, with precipitation from flowering to harvest in most winegrowing areas and health problems that reduced volumes, the ministry said in a monthly report.

In many vineyards, flowering took place in cool and damp conditions, leading to coulure dropping of flowers and young grapes and millerandage formation of small grapes. Added to this were losses due to frost in the spring, mildew and hail in the summer, the ministry said.

All types of wine were affected, as well as those intended for the distilled spirit eaudevie which benefited from an exceptional harvest in 2023, it said.

Champagne recorded the sharpest fall in…