FRENCH WINE MAKERS are using satellites to steal the march on the foreign dogs who dare to compete against them.

According to Reuters, the vinters are using new satellite technology to look at vineyards' physical characteristics and potential.

French wine consultancy body ICV and geo-information provider Infoterra, have been giving the vinters information on water stress and grape composition to help better management of the vinification.

Called Oenoview, is a combination of aerial photographs and satellite imagery in the near-infrared.

The plus side is that some French co-operatives can know the potential quality and quantity of wine six weeks before the harvest.

It can also allow putting similar quality grapes together to reduce the risk of making low quality of wine. µ

L'Inq
Reuters