Small Harvest in Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Champagne

Before the end of this year's grape harvest, several regions in France are already assessing the situation.
 

Uprooting in Bordeaux

In Bordeaux, the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB) expects the harvest to be "historically low," falling below last year's 3.8m hl. This is partly due to disease and partly a result of reduced vineyard area due to uprooting. Despite a slight lack of ripeness, the red harvest began at the end of September, as heavy rainfall had put pressure on the winemakers. According to Christophe Chateau, the communications director of CIVB, the red wines from 2024 "will not be the vintage of the century, but rather a vintage with lower alcohol and more fruit, designed for quick consumption and ultimately aligned with current market expectations." Other observers in the region suggest that the vintage will resemble 2012.
 

The most challenging season in decades

Burgundy is facing one of the toughest vintages in decades due to very challenging weather conditions throughout the year. According to estimates from the Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bourgogne (BIVB), harvest yields across Burgundy and Beaujolais are down by as much as 25% compared to last year. The Robb Report quotes Florent Latour, CEO of Maison Louis Latour, stating that it has been the most difficult season he has experienced in nearly 50 years.
 

Harvest yields in Champagne below last year

There is also bad news from Champagne. Initial estimates from the industry platform “Vitisphere” indicate yields of 3,000 kg/ha in the Côte des Bar, 3,000 to 5,000 kg/ha in the Vallée de la Marne, and 4,000 kg/ha in the Montagne de Reims. The newspaper “L’Union” estimates just over 6,000 kg/ha based on its calculations, which rely on a proven rule of thumb. According to this method, the average yield of the harvest is calculated using a proportionality formula based on the volume of grapes processed in regional wineries. Originally, the region had agreed on a permitted yield of 10,000 kg/ha for 2024, which is 13% below last year's yield. SP