Sour note on wine harvest

Published on 18/10/2012 00:00

European farmers have warned that drought, cold and hail have led to the worst wine harvest in half a century.

Farmers’ union expert Thierry Coste said France’s grape harvest was expected to slump by almost 20 per cent, compared with last year. Italy’s grape crop showed a 7 per cent drop, on top of a decline in 2011.

Mr Coste said there might be an upside – the quality of the wine will be good.