Harvests moving earlier

Record heat across Europe is accelerating grape ripening, raising alcohol levels and prompting growers to rethink vineyard management. From Italy to France, producers are adapting to hotter, drier conditions while trying to protect wine quality and preserve regional character.

Record-breaking temperatures across Europe are impacting vineyards, with producers reporting earlier harvests, sunburnt grapes and rising alcohol levels in wines. In Italy’s Piedmont region, growers expect harvesting to begin up to a month earlier than usual as prolonged heat, drought and violent storms speed up ripening.

Higher temperatures are concentrating sugars in grapes, meaning wines that once reached around 12% alcohol may now exceed 14%. Some vineyards are also showing sunburn damage and partial berry dehydration, although experts say it is too early to judge the overall quality of the 2026 vintage.

Growers are changing long-standing practices to protect fruit. Instead of removing leaves to expose bunches, many are retaining more foliage to provide shade, while some are investing in shading nets, improved soil management and other measures to reduce heat stress.

France is also preparing for a hotter future. Regulators are reviewing appellation rules to allow greater flexibility over irrigation, planting density and even approved grape varieties, aiming to help vineyards adapt to climate change without losing the distinctive character of their wines.