High temperatures and the worst drought on record have caused massive wildfires and led to restrictions on water usage across France. But they also boosted grape maturity.An August harvest, rather than in early September last year, used to be a once in a lifetime experience in Champagne in the past, said Charles Philipponnat, president of the family-owned Philipponnat Champagne winery that produces several hundred thousand bottles a year. Not anymore.
Around him, pickers hired for the short harvesting season and paid on what they pick were rushing around in temperatures well above 30 degrees Celsius as the sun beat down on the steep hillside where the precious Pinot grape grows."I think we're at the turning point," Philipponnat said. "So far, global warming has helped: harvest in good weather conditions without rain, without too much cold, with ripeness and little rot.
"What's coming now is possibly over-ripe grapes," Philipponnat said. "Possibly too dry summer seasons that will cause other problems, that we'll need to adapt to. We'll need to adapt our viticulture, and adapt our oenology – the way we make the wines." Harvesting season this year was about two weeks early this year in most large wine regions of France - something likely to be a lasting trend, winemakers said.
ReinstateLisaLaFlamme FireMichaelMelling
How much are you getting paid to drive this BS narrative?
As someone who has family in France. I can confirm this is absolute bullshit!!! The climate change narrative is a LIE!!
Climate Change? 😂😂😂
Climate change forces an early harvest? OK? What if its a late harvest next year? Climate change? What is the exact date to harvest Champagne? Aug 31 Due tell