French wine production could fall to one of its lowest levels in 30 years

French wine production could fall to one of its lowest levels in the past 30 years in 2026 due to severe heat and drought. The country’s agriculture ministry forecasts output at 33.9 mln hectolitres, down 6% from last year and 17% below the 2021–2025 average.

This would mark a third consecutive weak harvest following low output in 2024 and 2025. Weather conditions in spring initially supported expectations of a better harvest, but summer drought and heatwaves damaged vineyards and significantly reduced yields. Extreme heat also prompted grape harvesting to begin unusually early in many French wine regions this year.

The sharpest decline is expected in Champagne, where production could fall by 49% from 2025 and by 47% compared with the five-year average. Output in Bourgogne-Beaujolais is forecast to decline by around a third, while production in the Loire Valley could fall by 12% and in Charentes by 6%.

Meanwhile, production in Languedoc-Roussillon, France’s largest wine-producing region, could rise by 5% from last year’s weak harvest, although it would remain below average. Bordeaux production is expected to increase by 10% after rains in late August partially offset the impact of drought.

Production is also being affected by a reduction in vineyard area, which declined by 2.5% this year. In recent years, French winegrowers have uprooted some vineyards amid oversupply and declining wine consumption. France remains the world’s second-largest wine producer after Italy and is traditionally the world’s largest wine exporter by value.

Tags: weather conditions, France, drought, wine, grapes