French Vineyards Face Earlier Harvests in Heat Wave

Growers say intense temperatures are speeding grape ripening in some regions, though most vines remain protected for now

France’s vineyards are withstanding the current heat wave, but growers are warning that the weather could push harvests earlier than usual in several regions, according to wine industry specialists cited by La Revue du vin de France.

The article, published May 26, said the intense heat was not expected to damage vines in a major way because many vineyards still had enough water reserves from recent rainfall and because grape clusters were not yet at the most vulnerable stage of development. But the combination of high temperatures and dry conditions is accelerating ripening in some areas, raising the prospect of earlier picking dates this year.