France is set to retake its title as the world's biggest wine-making country after mildew ravaged Italian vines. French vineyards also suffered from the fungus, but good weather in key wine regions including Champagne has helped keep overall production steady.
As the autumn harvest begins, winemakers in Italy are braced for a sharp drop in output after unusual heat and heavy downpours disrupted the early growing season and caused downy mildew to thrive.
