In pictures: Cold snap threatens French vineyards

A late spring frost that hit French vineyards is threatening the harvest in Champagne and Burgundy, winegrowers warn. The cold snap with temperatures as low as minus six degrees Celsius (21.2 degrees Fahrenheit) has also affected vineyards in the Loire Valley and Languedoc-Roussillon in the deep south. Many winegrowers are trying to limit the damage using heaters or the more traditional method of setting out oil drums with fires burning in them among the vines.

Updated on: Apr 23, 2017 1:04 AM IST

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A view of Chablis vineyard hit by freeze in Chablis near Auxerre, northern France, as the frost damaged part of French vineyards and orchards. A late spring frost that hit French vineyards is threatening the harvest in Champagne and Burgundy, winegrowers warn. (Philippe Desmazes/AFP)

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A wine growers lights heaters in a Chablis vineyard. Burgundy, home to popular Chablis wines, saw a similar freeze last year. (Philippe Desmazes/AFP)

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Water being sprayed on a Chablis vineyard to protect it against freeze. Many winegrowers are trying to limit the damage using heaters or the more traditional method of setting out oil drums with fires burning in them among the vines. (Philippe Desmazes/AFP)

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The cold snap will also hurt the harvest in the eastern Jura region, famed for its sherry-like vin jaune (yellow wine). (Philippe Desmazes/AFP)

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The damage could reach 40 to 50 percent of the harvest, said Jean-Charles Tissot, chairman of the local wine marketing council. (Philippe Desmazes/AFP)

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Some winegrowers use wind machines to keep frost from setting in. (Philippe Desmazes/AFP)

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Others use water sprinklers, allowing a fine coating of ice to form on vines and keep them from freezing through, acting as mini-igloos. (Philippe Desmazes/AFP)

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Daniel Seguinot, winegrower, shows the buds of his Chablis vineyard hit by frost in Maligny near Auxerre, northern France. (Philippe Desmazes/AFP)