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Copa-Gogeca, the umbrella organisation of European agriculture, is forecasting a historically small wine harvest. In the three main producing countries, Italy, France and Spain, a yield of around 117 million hectolitres is expected, 18 per cent less than in 2020. Italy, with a minus of nine per cent, and Spain, with a minus of 15 per cent, come off much better than France, which has to reckon with a decline of 29 per cent. The main reasons for the small quantities are frost in spring, diseases such as mildew, as well as drought and hailstorms. In Germany, a total result of nine million hectolitres is expected, which is slightly below the ten-year average. Portugal is the only major producer country that can expect a one percent higher volume than in 2020. The expectations for the quality of the grapes are quite high, which is confirmed by those regions where the harvest has already started.
(al / Source: Copa-Cogeca; Photo: Pixabay Aline Ponce)