Eco-friendly French winemakers plant hybrid vines to curb pesticide use

A group of French winemakers has been planting hybrid grape varieties resistant to vine diseases like mildew, aiming to eliminate the need for pesticides and other chemical sprays widely used in traditional viticulture. But partisans of hybrids are few in number, and both producers and consumers will have to be convinced to give up their cabernet sauvignons, chardonnays and pinot noirs.