Champagne production in France to be cut almost in half due to heatwave
French champagne production in 2026 could be cut almost in half compared to last year. The reason for this is extreme weather conditions that significantly affected the grape harvest, Bloomberg reports .
According to the French Ministry of Agriculture, the country plans to produce about 1.34 million hectoliters of champagne this year — 48% less than in 2025.
Overall wine production will also decrease. It is expected to be around 34 million hectoliters in 2026, which is 6% less than last year's figure and 17% below the average level of the last five years. This could be the worst result for the French winemaking industry since 1957.
The main reason was the anomalous heatwave that gripped Europe this summer. Due to high temperatures, grape harvesting in many regions began much earlier. This year's harvest in France could be one of the weakest in the last three decades.
The Pinot Noir variety in Burgundy was particularly hard hit — harvest losses exceeded 50%. In Champagne, harvesting also began unusually early to prevent the grapes from over-ripening and accumulating too much sugar, which could lead to an increase in the wine's alcohol content. The weight of the bunches here is expected to be the lowest in 20 years.
The situation in the Bordeaux region is better: production could increase by 10% compared to the very low figure of 2025. However, even after this, it will still be approximately 11% below the average level of 2021-2025.
However, the weather is not the only problem for French winemakers. The industry is also facing a decline in demand for alcohol, changes in consumer habits, and a challenging economic situation.
Last week, the French government allocated more than 1 billion euros to aid farmers affected by the summer heatwave and forest fires.
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