Europe's main wine producing countries have given a hint at the bitter fight that is likely to ensue over Brussels' proposed overhaul of the ailing sector, reports the EU Observer, quoting extensively from BeverageDaily.com.

EU agriculture ministers gathered in Brussels on Tuesday to begin discussions on the European Commission-proposed plans for a "deep-rooted" wine reform.

Major wine producing countries are unhappy with the plan to dig up 400,000 hectares - or 11.8% - of vineyards across the bloc to curb over-production.

French diplomats called the plan "clumsy" and "unacceptable," while Spain warned that "grubbing up" the plants would lead to mass desertification in hot parts of Europe.

"This reform lacks the ambition needed in the sector," said French Agriculture Minister Dominique Bussereau, when the commission announced the plan last month. Europe is divided between the producing countries like France, Italy, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Malta, Hungary, Portugal and Austria, and the consuming countries, mainly the UK and the Scandinavian member states. Denmark and Sweden have argued that state funds for this sector should be stopped to make it more competitive.

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