Wildfires near Bordeaux spark fears of hidden damage to France’s wine

France’s worst wildfire season in decades is now raising concerns far beyond the immediate destruction of forests and homes. In the Bordeaux region, where some of the country’s most famous wines are produced, growers are worried that smoke from nearby fires could quietly damage grapes long before anyone opens a bottle.That is what makes this fire especially troubling for winemakers. The flames themselves may not reach every vineyard, but smoke taint, the contamination of grapes by wildfire smoke, can change the taste, aroma and value of wine in ways that may not become obvious until months or even years later, according to CBS News.Why Bordeaux is so exposedBordeaux is not just any wine region. It is one of France’s most important agricultural and cultural assets, producing hundreds of millions of bottles each year and supporting a massive export industry. That means any threat to the harvest, whether from fire, smoke, drought or heat, has consequences well beyond the vineyards themselves.The fires came at a particularly sensitive moment. As CBS reported, the grapes were in veraison — the period when they shift from green to red and begin to ripen. Experts say that is one of the wo...