The French wine industry looks back on a disappointing year in 2009. The value of exports decreased by 20 per cent compared with the previous year, with AOC wines hit particularly hard.

The British wine magazine Decanter reports that the value of exports of French wines decreased by an average of 20 per cent last year, to only 5.5 billion Euros. Volumes too decreased significantly, by 8.7 per cent according to Decanter.

AOC wines were particularly affected - for instance minus 28 per cent in value terms for champagne, or minus 23 per cent for Bordeaux. Burgundy was also significantly weaker, whereas country wines did relatively well. (WF)