An increase in a fatal vine disease known as “maladie du bois” in Bordeaux, Cognac and Gascony, has led to calls for an area of southwest France to be declared in state of emergency. The disease attacks the wood part of the vine plant, and the rate of infection depends very much on the region and the grape variety, but globally the disease is progressing due to the wetter weather. (Source: Wine Business International.com)