Wine production in France, the world’s largest producer, is predicted to fall to 40.6 million hectoliters (1.07 billion gallons) from 50.9 million hectoliters in 2011. Cold, wet weather during bloom, hailstorms, damage from mildew and fungus, and then a heat wave in August and September caused extensive damage to the grape crop. Production in the Champagne region is expected to experience the biggest drop of 36% to 1.82 million hectoliters.