French wine harvest slashes to 30-year low after severe heatwaves

France expects to produce 33.9 million hectolitres of wine in 2026, according to the farm ministry, representing a 6 % fall from 2025 and a 17 % dip below the five-year average. The shortfall stems from intense summer drought and heatwaves that inflicted sun-scald, scorching, defoliation and wilting on vines across the country. This harvest is the third in a row of reduced volumes after low outputs in 2024 and 2025.

While Champagne output may be cut by half and Bourgogne-Beaujolais by a third, Languedoc-Roussillon could see a 5 % rise, though still below normal levels. Bordeaux is projected to rebound 10 % thanks to late-August rains, yet remains under its five-year average. The broader French agricultural sector also suffered from the heat, prompting the government to announce an emergency aid package exceeding €1 billion.