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The French government will pay its wine producers some $216 million to destroy nearly 80 million gallons of surplus vino that they were unable to sell.

French wine producers are getting bailed out after being hammered by a confluence of difficulties — including overproduction, inflation, skyrocketing costs and changing drinking habits among French citizens opting for other beverage choices in a hyper-competitive environment.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has also disrupted shipments of fertilizer and bottles, while climate change is wreaking havoc on growers who must contend with extreme weather.

French Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau told AFP on Friday that the government is paying farmers to destroy the excess wine so as to allow winemakers, who would be unable to turn a profit if they lowered the price of the surplus wine, to “find sources of revenue again.”

In the southwestern region of Bordeaux, which is famous for its vineyards, farmers have had to move up the harvest season, which once began in mid-September, to mid-August due to severe drought.

The French government is offering winegrowers in Bordeaux compensation if they choose to repurpose their land and rip up their vines.

The government funds will enable farmers to distill the alcohol from the surplus wine to pure alcohol, which can then be sold at a loss to producers who make cosmetics, perfume and cleaning supplies.

Over the last 10 years, sales of red wine have fallen by 32% in France, where young people are instead consuming non-alcoholic choices, beer and ros.

Winemakers have also struggled to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, when restaurants were closed and trade shows canceled.

Were producing too much, and the sale price is below the production price, so were losing money, Jean-Philippe Granier of the Languedoc wine producers association told the Guardian.

The challenges facing the French wine industry mimic those of US grape growers who must also contend with a decline in demand for wine.

Earlier this year, Silicon Valley Bank released a study titled “State of the U.S. Wine Industry Report” which found that Americans over the age of 60 are the only group of consumers who are drinking more wire than in previous years.

The report found that “younger buyers are increasingly less engaged with the wine category.”

According to the report, just over one-third (35%) of those between the ages of 21 and 29 consume alcohol, but do not drink wine.

That number falls to 28% for individuals between the ages of 50 and 59.

Last year was the second consecutive year of negative growth when measuring total US wine consumption by volume, according to the Silicon Valley Bank report.

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‘Gritty’ McBain secures 5-year deal from Mammoth

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'Gritty' McBain secures 5-year deal from Mammoth

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Mammoth re-signed center Jack McBain to a five-year contract worth $21.25 million on Monday.

McBain will count $4.25 million against the salary cap through the 2029-30 NHL season, which was announced a little more than 24 hours since the team elected salary arbitration with the restricted free agent forward.

“He is a big, strong, physical player who competes hard on a nightly basis and brings a gritty toughness to our group,” general manager Bill Armstrong said. “Jack is an important part of the championship-caliber team we are building, and we look forward to having him back on our roster for the foreseeable future.”

McBain, 25, is coming off setting a career high with 27 points and playing all 82 games. He was one of six players to skate in every game of the organization’s first season in Salt Lake City.

“Jack’s versatility as a player, his care for his teammates and his demonstrated willingness to do whatever it takes to win, are all critical elements to our future team success,” president of hockey operations Chris Armstrong said.

McBain has 82 points in 241 games with the franchise, which moved to Utah from Arizona. Since debuting in April 2022, he ranks third in the league with 832 hits.

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Johnson, 2-time Cup winner with Lightning, retires

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Johnson, 2-time Cup winner with Lightning, retires

Tyler Johnson has announced his retirement after playing 13 NHL seasons and winning the Stanley Cup twice with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Johnson called it a career in a lengthy message posted on social media Monday. Johnson had battled injuries in recent years and is set to turn 35 on July 29.

“As a short kid from a small town, I saw my chances of playing in the NHL as very slim,” Johnson wrote on Instagram. “But my family — my parents, Ken and Debbie, and my grandparents — believed in me when doubt clouded my mind. Their unwavering faith turned that dream into reality.”

Listed at 5-foot-8 and 191 pounds, Johnson won at just about ever level, capturing the Western Hockey League and Memorial Cup championships in 2008 with his hometown Spokane Chiefs and the Calder Cup championship with Norfolk of the American Hockey League in 2012.

The NHL brought more success, as he skated in 863 regular-season and playoff games since debuting in the league in 2013, putting up 498 points. Johnson was part of the Lightning’s core when they reached the final in 2015 and helped them hoist the Cup back to back in 2020 and ’21.

Johnson finished with Chicago, playing three seasons with the Blackhawks, and Boston, signing with the Bruins early last season following his training camp tryout.

“After a lifetime devoted to hockey, I’m ready for what’s next,” Johnson said. “This moment is bittersweet, but I leave the game with no regrets.”

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‘Workhorse’ York nets five-year deal from Flyers

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'Workhorse' York nets five-year deal from Flyers

Cam York and the Philadelphia Flyers agreed to terms Monday on a five-year contract worth $25.75 million, with re-signing the restricted free agent defenseman completing perhaps the team’s last important piece of offseason business.

York, 25, will count $5.15 million against the salary cap through the 2029-30 NHL season. That price could turn out to be a bargain with the upper limit rising from $88 million this past season to $113.5 million by 2027-28.

“Cam has been a workhorse for our team over the last few seasons,” general manager Danny Briere said. “We’re excited by his development and look forward to his continued growth and emergence as a young leader within our group.”

The Flyers are trying to shift from rebuilding to contending, and York was the final player on the roster without a contract. They acquired Trevor Zegras in a trade from Anaheim last month and signed fellow center Christian Dvorak and backup goaltender Dan Vladar on the first day of free agency.

York, the 14th pick in the 2019 draft, has skated nearly 21 minutes a game so far in his pro career, all with Philadelphia. He has 77 points in 235 games for the Flyers, who have not made the playoffs since 2020.

“I believe in this team, and I love the direction we are heading,” York said. “I couldn’t be more excited to continue this journey and build something special together.”

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