France will have its lowest wine production in 30 years in 2026

France is expected to record one of its poorest wine harvests in the past 30 years this year, after severe drought and heatwaves affected vineyards and grapes. The Ministry of Agriculture estimates production at 33.9 million hectoliters, 6% below the 2025 level and 17% below the 2021–2025 average.

The heatwave at the end of June, followed by high temperatures and limited rainfall, slowed grape development and caused particular damage to young vineyards. Soil water shortages led to sunburn, plant wilting, leaf drop and reduced yields. The area planted with vines fell by 2.5%.

This would be the third consecutive year of a poor harvest, after 2024 and 2025. Champagne production is expected to fall by half compared with last year, while the Bourgogne-Beaujolais, Loire Valley and Charentes regions are among the hardest hit.

In Languedoc-Roussillon and Bordeaux, increases compared with 2025 are forecast, although production will remain below the average of recent years. French authorities have announced a support package worth more than one billion euros for farmers affected by drought and heat.