French farming union FNSEA said this week that total agricultural losses from the spring frosts could total €3bn, ‘particularly in viticulture and arboriculture’.
Winemakers have cautioned that it is too soon to know the full extent of the damage, even if several regional bodies have said they expect the frosts to impact 2021 wine harvest volumes.
Frost has also hit vineyards and farmers in other parts of Europe this month.
In Italy this week, farmers’ union Coldiretti called for immediate government aid, including for vineyard owners that have seen damage from sub-zero temperatures.
The impact naturally varies between estates and vineyard sites.
'Too Early To Have A Precise View': French Winemakers Deal With Harsh Spring Frost forbes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from forbes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
There were also reports of frost in the Jura, Languedoc, the Rhône and the UK. The
Languedoc Wines council (CIVL) said on its Instagram account they were ‘keeping their fingers crossed for the 2021 vintage.’
The French council for appellation wines (CNIV) said in a statement it was concerned ‘further episodes of frost are to be feared in the days to come.’
Here’s some techniques and action-shots of how winemakers seek to limit frost damage on their vines.
Four ways winemakers can prevent frost in vineyards
Fire
At
Ridgeview in Sussex they use ‘bougies’ – large paraffin candles which give off enough heat to create air movement which prevents a frost pocket forming.