Agricultural forecasting     Because radar instruments such as the ASAR on ESA's Envisat can see through clouds that obscure the view of optical satellite sensors, they can enable much more effective monitoring of rice growing areas. Radar instruments are also especially sensitive to the presence of water, and rice fields have to be flooded for their growing season. Improved rice monitoring is one of the subjects of the joint ESA-China Dragon Programme.   A view of the Champagne vineyards in Verzenay, south of Reims, eastern France, is seen May 17, 2002. Champagne can be made up of wines from three different grapes: the Chardonnay, a white grape, the Pinot Noir and the Pinot Meunier, dark grapes, from one, two or all three of the wines from these grapes. The art of Champagne-making comes in finding a harmonious balance among them, but the beverage must be produced in the Champagne region, from grapes grown here.(AP Photo/Michel Spingler) Last update: 14 July 2004