France’s Organic Winegrowers Lose An Indispensable Tool. What Now?

French organic winemakers are in a tough spot! The country's health agency has banned 19 copper-based fungicides they rely on to fight mildew, citing worker safety concerns. The catch? France is going stricter than the EU requires, and growers were already using less copper than allowed. With only two products still permitted under tight restrictions, producers in rainy regions like Champagne and Burgundy are worried about how they'll protect their vines.