France allows champagne strength to rise to 15% due to heat
In France, due to record summer heat, champagne producers have for the first time been allowed to make the drink with an alcohol content of up to 15%. Normally, champagne strength is limited to 13%. The decision is linked to an unusually high level of sugar in grapes, which accumulated more quickly as a result of extreme heat.
The earliest grape harvest
As France 24 reports, the 2026 harvest was the earliest on record in the Champagne region. The first grapes were harvested there on August 6, while large-scale harvesting began on August 17. This was two weeks earlier than in 2025, which was also considered early.
Champagne industry association Comité Champagne explained that high temperatures accelerated the accumulation of sugar in the berries and, accordingly, the natural formation of alcohol. At the same time, the association said the harvest has all the characteristics needed to produce quality, perhaps even exceptional, wines.
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The easing will not affect everyone
Comité Champagne co-chair David Chatillon noted that the relaxation of alcohol-strength requirements would apply only to a small number of winegrowers. According to him, the average alcohol level after the harvest is below 12%, so not all Champagne producers will exceed this figure.
Another co-chair of the association, Maxime Toubart, said that due to climate change, such an unusual harvest time will likely become the norm in 10–15 years. France is the world's second-largest wine producer after Italy, and the summer heat and drought have heightened winegrowers' concerns about adapting to climate change.
French authorities have also temporarily eased strict production rules for several types of cheese after the heat scorched pastures.
