France embraces organic wines

The area devoted to organic viticulture in France rose by almost 40% last year, according to official data.

The number of organic vineyards also increased, by just over 31%. The number of vineyards which have started the conversion process to organic status leapt by 72%.

Figures from Agence BIO - a grouping of organisations which promote organic farming - show that 4.6% of all vineyards in France are now classified as organic.

Organic wine sales in the French mass market increased by 60%, with sales of €30.6 million (6.8 million bottles) between April 2009 and April 2010, compared to 3% for the overall wine market.