Scorched by Heatwaves: French Wine Harvest Set to Hit Historic Low
The ministry said output will fall to about 35 million hectolitres as heat, drought and smaller planted areas cut yields.
- On Oct 7, estimates from France indicated this year's harvest is around 35 million hectolitres, down 2% from the mediocre 2025 yield and 14% below the 2021-2025 average.
- According to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine, summer heatwaves and a 1.9% reduction in cultivated areas pared back production over the past year.
- Production in Burgundy and the Beaujolais region is projected to be 30% lower than the five-year average, while southern regions saw production rise around 12%.
- Despite lower volumes, the industry emphasized the 'excellent health' of the crop; in Champagne, producer Claude Mandois reported an 'exceptional harvest' regarding taste and quality.
- Jerome Despey, chairman of the wine advisory board at FranceAgriMer, noted that vines in the southern Herault region have been 'more resilient to the climate' following adapted vineyard management.
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Despite an unexpected rebound in certain regions of the South such as Languedoc-Roussillon or Bordelais, French wine production is expected to decline again in 2026 to reach a historically low level, marked by drought, heat waves and plans to grubbing up vines. ...
As a result of heat waves, summer drought and grubbing-up plans, this harvest would be reduced by 2% compared to the already scarce harvest of 2025 and 14% compared to the average 2021-2025, according to estimates on 1 October produced by the department of statistics of the Ministry (Agrest). For the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV), which maintains world statistics on wine production and consumption, France had already recorded…
French wine production is expected to reach nearly 35 million hectolitres by 2026, a level that remains historically low French wine production estimates in 2026 were
Scorched by heatwaves: French wine harvest set to hit historic low
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