Bottles of Champagne are seen on display for sale in a wine shop in Paris, France, December 20, 2022.
REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File PhotoPARIS, Aug 8 (Reuters) - 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.
Overall wine output is projected to be between 44 million and 47 million hectolitres, a range that encompasses both the five-year average of 44.5 million hectolitres and 2022 output of 46.1 million hectolitres, the ministry said in a report on Tuesday.
The wine sector wants the government to expand funding for a distillation scheme so 3 million hectolitres of wine stocks can be cleared, mainly in Bordeaux and Languedoc-Roussillon in the far south, Despey said.
Output was seen surpassing the five-year average in Champagne, where frost and hail caused limited damage this year, and also in Burgundy, despite some mildew cases, the ministry added.
Persons:
Sarah Meyssonnier, We've, Jerome Despey, Despey, Gus Trompiz, Barbara Lewis, Mark Potter
Organizations:
REUTERS, Reuters, Thomson
Locations:
Paris, France, Champagne, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Southwest, Languedoc, Roussillon