Cold Snap Threatens to Wreak Havoc on France's Legendary Wine Industry

PARIS - France’s agricultural minister is calling it the biggest agricultural catastrophe of this century — a cold snap that threatens to wreak havoc on the nation's harvests, including that of legendary vineyards from northern Champagne to southwestern Bordeaux.

The sound of sprinklers can be heard in France’s eastern Burgundy region — one of several methods desperate wine growers are using to save their vines. In some places, April temperatures have plunged as low as 6 degrees Celsius (21 F) or more. It is not the first time French vineyards have faced severe frosts. But many say these are among the harshest in years. Some blame it on climate change. In many parts of the country, winegrowers large and small fear a lost year. “We know that the chardonnay that have grown very nice — you could see 10 days ago, the baby leaves appearing — this is dead. And this is the next crop,” Frederic Drouhin said.