French winemakers forecast 30-year low harvest after severe drought and heat

French winemakers are anticipating a 30-year low in wine production due to a severe drought and heatwaves, according to the country's agriculture ministry. The agriculture ministry's initial estimate predicts winemakers will produce just under 34 million hectolitres from this year's harvest, a 6% decrease from last year and 17% less than the average for 2021-2025.

The decline is partly attributed to a reduction in the number and size of vineyards but primarily due to extreme weather conditions. The summer was notably hot and dry, leading to soil drought, heatwaves causing sun scald, scorching, defoliation, and wilting of grapes, and ultimately reducing harvest volumes. However, some winemakers caution that it is premature to make reliable predictions as grape harvesting is still ongoing.

The forecast comes after an optimistic beginning to the year, with heavy spring rains promoting grape growth. The hot and dry summer conditions exacerbated the harvest forecast. Champagne, the Jura region, and the Burgundy-Beaujolais region are among the hardest-hit areas. In Champagne, the grape harvest is expected to be nearly half of last year's.

The Jura region is anticipated to suffer a 37% loss. Burgundy-Beaujolais vineyards, which started their harvest early in mid-August, are expected to produce one-third fewer grapes compared to the previous year. While Bordeaux, Languedoc-Roussillon, and some regions in the south-east and south-west are expected to report higher harvests, they are all below the 2021-2025 five-year average.

Cécile Mathiaud, a representative of the Burgundy wine producers association, expressed surprise at the government's bleak figures for her region's vineyards. She noted that while a full harvest is not guaranteed, the situation is not as dire as the government suggests. Some Burgundy vineyards began their harvest in early August, while others are currently collecting grapes.

The agriculture ministry stated that these estimates are projections, and definitive results will be available upon official harvest declarations later in the year. France's wine sector is further challenged by a decline in demand, with annual wine consumption in France dropping from 127 liters per person in the 1960s to 40 liters per person today. French wines have also faced tariffs imposed by the US, led by Donald Trump.