Champagne Producers Allowed To Raise Alcohol Content After Record Heatwave

According to the BBC, French champagne producers have been given temporary permission to raise the alcohol content of some bottles to as much as 15%, above the usual 13% cap, after this summer's record heatwave pushed grape sugar levels higher. Industry officials said the change is expected to affect only a small number of wines from the 2026 harvest, with some bottles potentially reaching about 13.1% or 13.2% during secondary fermentation. The Comite Champagne said the first grapes were cut in early August and the harvest had expanded by mid-August, marking the earliest ever recorded in Champagne. The association said the 2026 growing season was one of the most unusual in the region's history because of severe spring frosts, an exceptionally early flowering period and five heatwaves over the summer. It also said the earlier harvest could become normal in 10 to 15 years as climate change alters conditions in the region. The 2026 vintage is not expected to reach shelves until 2028 because champagne must age for at least 15 months.