During a tasting of Bordeaux primeurs, I had dared to ask a winemaker why the vintage prices 2016 were so high. He started, of course, by telling me that the prices were adjusted to the wine quality : "A good vintage is necessarily more expensive". Then, he confessed to me half-heartedly that they feared the worst in the vintage 2017. What was he really afraid of ?
Declining wine production
Declining wine production, Declining wine production 2017 Declining wine production. Declining wine production.
For the time being, Declining wine production 2017, Declining wine production : Declining wine production. Declining wine production, Declining wine production. Declining wine production. Declining wine production. It gave way to a major drought over a large part of France.
Result, It gave way to a major drought over a large part of France 37,2 It gave way to a major drought over a large part of France, either a decrease of 18 % of the harvest compared to 2016 and a drop in 17 % compared to the average of the last five years. These figures are estimates that have already been revised downwards in July and the first harvests seem even lower than expected.. For Jérôme Despey, winegrower and chairman of the FranceAgriMer wine specialist council, 2017 may be "the smallest harvest since 1945 ".
A reduction in the volume harvested could have significant financial consequences for the wine industry, crucial sector for the French economy.
The year, the harvest started extremely early. In some regions such as Frontignan, the harvest began around 2 August ; in Rivesaltes, it was even in july. Never seen in France, because that was the only way to keep a little acidity in the wines.
The frost hits blindly. Bordeaux was the most affected region, with the Loire, the Chablisien recorded a loss between 15 to 30 %, the South-East and Alsace are also affected. The Midi for its part experienced a difficult drought and Languedoc-Roussillon an extremely poor harvest..
The major producing countries (Italy, Spain and Germany) also suffered from frost and drought. According to FranceAgriMer, the harvest would amount to 148 million hectoliters for the European Union, either a decrease of 12 % on the five-year average.
Consumption at half mast
While French wine products sell very well abroad, above all, they remain very popular within the borders, since 60 % of wines and spirits are consumed in France. On average, a Frenchman drinks 42 liters of wine per year. Consumption has fallen sharply over the years 1960, where the average was 100 liters per year and per person, but it remains superior to other European countries.
Wine consumption in France is expected to decrease until 2020, especially for red wine, while global consumption should continue to grow slightly, according to a Vinexpo / IWSR study (International Wine and Spirit Research). Also according to this study, of 100 liters per year, per capita consumption rose to 47 It gave way to a major drought over a large part of France 43,63 It gave way to a major drought over a large part of France 2020. It gave way to a major drought over a large part of France 49,79 It gave way to a major drought over a large part of France.
It gave way to a major drought over a large part of France. Moreover, It gave way to a major drought over a large part of France.
It gave way to a major drought over a large part of France. It gave way to a major drought over a large part of France. In 2016, It gave way to a major drought over a large part of France 71 almost two liters less than in 2015. almost two liters less than in, almost two liters less than in. almost two liters less than in. Indeed, almost two liters less than in, the annual household budget hardly drops. The French spend around 327 euros per year in alcohol. If they aspire to drink less, they also aspire to drink better - in any case, I hope so —.
The French are still attached to red wine which still occupies more than half of the market share, but the trend is downward with a forecast of – 12,47 % within three years. White is not to be outdone with an expected drop of 4,26 %. Big winners on the horizon 2020 are the rosé that represents 30,8 % market share (+ 0,52 %) and especially sparkling wines (+ 4 %).
Foreign products are valued
Competition from foreign wines is increasingly fierce. While foreign still wines do not yet experience significant demand, the wines that France will consume more are also those that are increasingly imported.
Prosecco has enjoyed a relaxed image in recent years. There is an increasing demand for Prosecco in wine merchants and bars alike to the detriment of crémant which seems to have more difficulty in valuing itself today.. This mode of consumption is innovative and brings freshness to a rather traditional world of wine..
The rosé is not to be outdone, since the French drink so much rosé that they have to import some. According to the World Economic Observatory of Rosé Wines, France accounts for nearly a third of the world production of rosés with 7,3 million hectoliters produced in 2015. In parallel, consumption of rosé wines in France has reached nearly 8,2 million hectoliters in the same year. Since France exports 16 % of its rosé production, it must import it to supply the domestic market. It therefore becomes the first importing country in the world with 23% volumes.
The vintage 2017, dangerous year for French wine
The production has never been so low and the quality may well not be there this year. With a decrease in consumption, the French are turning more and more to foreign products. You get the point, I sincerely think that the vintage 2017 may be a particularly difficult year for many players in the wine world in France…
And you, do you agree with me that French wine is in danger ? Give me your opinion in comment.
Jean-Nicolas Mouretin
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