France, one of the world's top wine producers and exporters, was hit hard by poor weather conditions, including a heatwave at the end of June. Unfavourable weather conditions hit the flowering of the vine, particularly in the western wine regions of France, such as Val de Loire, Charente, Bordelais the wines of the southwest. In southern France, the heatwave broke records, with temperatures in some places as high as 46 degrees Celsius (115 degrees Fahrenheit). The heat damage meant lost production in three regions: the Gard, Herault and Var, the ministry added. France, along with Spain and Italy, is one of the world's top three wine producers and exporters, according to industry figures released last week.

Source: The Local July 20, 2019 16:07 UTC