French turn backs on wine

THE French appear to be turning their backs on a glass of wine, with nearly 40% of those of drinking age saying they never touch the stuff.

The national trade body Onivins say that only one-in-five people regularly drink wine and the figures confirmed a long downward trend.

In 2000, 24 per cent of those polled were declared regular tipplers but in 1980 that figure was 51 per cent.

And the long term prospects don't look good as many people under 35 say they do not regularly drink wine.