The fall in output was currently expected at between 10% and 20% in the region but with a higher quality, said Volle, who represents Ardeche winemakers. Volle, 49, which uses machines to harvest his grapes, said he had started at 3:00 am. Overnight harvesting also allows to keep grapes cooler, meaning using less energy and avoiding hurting the harvest and aromas, he said. Jerome Despey, a wine producer of Languedoc wine in southern France and first vice-president of France's largest farm union FNSEA, told Reuters that the damage caused by the hot weather will lead to lower wine output this year in the south of the country overall. Reporting by Clotaire Achi, writing by Sybille de La Hamaide; editing by David EvansOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Persons: Clotaire, Jerome Volle, Volle, Jerome Despey, FNSEA, Clotaire Achi, Sybille de La, David Evans Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Valvigneres, Ardeche, France, Rhone, Languedoc