France to uproot 28 000 hectares of vines

France is preparing to remove around 28,000 hectares of vineyards under a state-backed programme aimed at rebalancing supply and demand, as reported by The Connexion. The initiative, administered by FranceAgriMer, has drawn approximately 5,800 applications from growers seeking financial support to uproot vines.

According to Jérôme Despey, president of the agency’s wine committee, the majority of requests originate in south-western regions including Gironde, Aude, Gard, Hérault, Pyrénées-Orientales and Gers. These applications largely concern red grape varieties, reflecting the category’s weakening market position.

Of the total area earmarked for removal, around 37% will be cleared entirely, with growers exiting wine production. The remaining 63% involves partial removal of vines more than 10 years old, allowing estates to adjust plantings and refine output.

To read the full article, click HERE.