FRANCE: French wine-growers began some of their earliest ever harvesting this week as they bet on this year's vintage being one of the most flavourful in years.
Wine experts say searing temperatures since June, climaxing in a heatwave this month hitting 40 degrees Celsius, have concentrated sugars and flavour in ripening grapes, and will also boost alcohol content.
"Harvesting is starting two to three weeks early everywhere, and we're looking at this being a perfect year across the board," said Mr Nicolas Pouget, of the National Wine Industry Union.
Mr Jean-Philippe Delamas, from Haut Brion vineyards, said tests indicated his wines could contain as much as 14 per cent alcohol this year, pushing regulation limits.
A quality vintage could lift the French wine industry out of a slump caused by over-supply, a strong euro and a drop in US orders since France opposed the war in Iraq. - (Reuters)