Record heatwaves in France set to make champagne stronger
Winemakers can produce bubbly up to 15% ABV following an unusual harvest that produced sweeter grapes.
Champagne enthusiasts may experience a stronger buzz from their favorite beverage following a record-breaking heatwave in France. Producers have been granted permission to temporarily boost the alcohol content in champagne bottles to a maximum of 15%, surpassing the usual 13% limit. This decision stems from the extreme heat and drought that caused grapes to contain unusually high sugar levels. As yeast converts sugar into alcohol during fermentation, this results in a higher alcohol content in the final product.
The unprecedented heatwave and drought in the Champagne region also led to the earliest-ever harvest in the area's history. Climate change is expected to make such heatwaves more frequent and intense, potentially making this exceptional vintage the norm within the next decade. The temporary increase in alcohol content is anticipated to impact only a small number of wines, according to the Comité Champagne, which represents the region's producers.
While higher-strength champagne may not initially seem like a desirable feature, Jane Anson, a wine columnist based in Bordeaux, acknowledges that the changing climate may necessitate such adjustments. She notes that today's consumers often prefer lower-alcohol wines, and adapting to these shifting preferences is an ongoing challenge for producers.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
