French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly defended the controversial decision to uproot unprofitable vineyards, framing it as a necessary step to safeguard the long-term sustainability of France’s wine industry.
Speaking during his visit to Wine Paris 2026, one of Europe’s most influential wine trade fairs, Macron reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting winegrowers amid mounting economic pressures.
Wine production, Macron emphasized, is deeply embedded in the French way of life and national identity. However, he acknowledged that the sector is facing unprecedented structural challenges driven by declining domestic consumption, shifting consumer preferences, and increasing difficulty in export markets. Against this backdrop, the French government has launched a €130 million fund to subsidize vineyard owners willing to remove their least productive or economically unviable plots.
The initiative, available since early February, aims to reduce chronic overproduction and stabilize market prices. According to Macron, without such intervention, the value of remaining vineyards would continue to erode, placing even efficient producers at risk. The policy is designed not as a retreat from wine production, but as a strategic recalibration of supply to match current and future demand.
The regions most affected are those traditionally associated with high volumes of entry-level red wines, particularly Bordeaux and Languedoc. These areas have been hit hardest by falling consumption of everyday red wine in France and abroad, as consumers increasingly favor lighter styles, whites, sparkling wines, or alternative beverages.
France has already taken emergency measures in recent years, including funding the distillation of surplus wine into industrial ethanol. According to the National Confederation of Wine Producers and Traders (CNAOC), the national surplus stood at roughly 100,000 hectares in September last year. Around 50,000 hectares have already been uprooted, with an additional 30,000 hectares now targeted under the new scheme.
Macron’s visit to Wine Paris 2026 carried strong symbolic weight. The president met with producers, trade representatives, and exhibitors, underlining that government support for the sector remains a priority. He also acknowledged that difficult decisions are unavoidable if French wine is to remain economically viable and competitive on the global stage.
Source: Vinetur
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