Champagne Growers Rush Record-Early Harvest as Frost and Heat Cut Potential Output 43%
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 20
Champagne Growers Rush Record-Early Harvest as Frost and Heat Cut Potential Output 43%
3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 20
Summary
Champagne’s official harvest opened Aug. 12-17 — about a month earlier than once common — as growers rushed to pick fast-ripening grapes before quality slipped.
Four heat waves and June temperatures of 40C accelerated sugar concentration, while drought shrank berries and narrowed the window to keep Champagne’s delicate alcohol balance.
Spring frost had already wiped out 43% of potential production, and producers say drought will further reduce yields even if some estates still expect acceptable quality.
Hand-picked harvesting is also under strain: Gobillard & Fils aims to finish in nine days with about 120 workers, as August timing collides with vacations and transport constraints.
The pressure reaches a 5.7 billion-euro industry that shipped 266.1 million bottles last year, reinforcing Champagne’s long-running push to adapt vineyards and practices to climate change.