Summer heatwaves, reduction in cultivated areas cause historic low French wine harvest

At around 35 million hectolitres the total harvest would be down two percent on a mediocre 2025 yield and 14 percent below the 2021–2025 average, according to estimates published Wednesday by the ministry of agriculture. According to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), which tracks global statistics on wine production and consumption, France had already recorded last year its lowest production since 1957. This latest decline is down not just to hot weather, which has been slightly mitigated by recent rainfall, but also a reduction in cultivated areas -- pared back 1.9 percent in the past year. Some southern areas, already battered by the heat in 2025, have nonetheless seen production rise this year, notably Bordeaux. There, despite a five percent decrease in cultivated areas production is set to come in up 10 percent on 2025, albeit still 11 percent below the 2021-2025 average. For the southwest the rise is around 12 percent, essentially a return to the previous four-year average. The Champagne region fared less well as growers had to harvest exceptionally early after the extreme heat sped sugar buildup -- and hence natural alcohol production. The harvest there w...