The southern French wine regions in Langeduoc-Roussillion are massively infested by mildew due to the humid, warm weather. This is reported on the Vitisphere website. In some growing regions, such as Minervois and Narbonne, 20 to 30 percent of vineyards are already affected. In Hérault, almost all vineyards are said to be affected. In many other regions the situation is "alarming". In the Vaucluse, too, the risk is now "very high" and continues to rise.
In Bordeaux, Cognac and the Loire Valley, the risk of infestation has also risen dramatically. In the Loire valley, massive rainfall has made it so wet that driving a tractor over the vineyards is no longer possible in many places. For this reason, the large-scale control of the infections there is currently only possible with the help of squads or caterpillars.
(uka)