The heat is forcing French champagne producers to increase the alcohol content of their drinks

Tasting this year’s vintage of champagne may leave you with a worse hangover. It is reported that record-breaking heatwaves in France are forcing some producers of this sparkling drink to increase the alcohol content, according to industry representatives.

The French authorities have allowed champagne producers to produce a sparkling wine with an alcohol content of up to 15 per cent. This decision is being described as a historic precedent, as until now the alcohol content of champagne has generally not exceeded 13 per cent.

According to the industry association “Comité Champagne”, grape growers had to harvest exceptionally early this year, as extreme heatwaves accelerated the accumulation of sugar – and, consequently, the natural formation of alcohol – in the grapes. However, “all the signs point to this vintage producing excellent, perhaps even exceptional wines”, according to a statement from the association.

France is the world’s second-largest wine producer after Italy, and the heatwaves and drought recorded this summer have heightened the concerns of many grape growers about how they will cope with climate change.

This year’s grape harvest was the earliest ever recorded in the Champagne region: the first grapes were picked as early as 6 August, and the harvest began in earnest on 17 August – two weeks earlier than in 2025, when it was already considered early, according to the association.

Due to climate change, “this unusual harvest is likely to become the norm within 10–15 years”, said Maxime Toubart, one of the chairmen of the “Comité Champagne”, one of its co-chairs, Maxime Toubart.

His colleague David Chatillon, however, pointed out that the relaxed alcohol content requirements will only apply to a small number of grape growers. “The average after harvest is less than 12 per cent. Not all Champagne grape growers will exceed this level,” he said.