France lets some champagne be stronger
Record heatwaves in France set to make champagne stronger
Sunday, 13 September 2026
Warm-up
- What foods or drinks change with the weather where you live?
- What do you know about champagne and how it is made?
- Do you prefer drinks with lower or higher alcohol? Why?
Vocabulary
- temporarily
- For a short time only, not permanent.
- drought
- A long period with very little or no rain.
- fermentation
- A process where yeast turns sugar into alcohol and gas.
- harvest
- The time when farmers pick crops like grapes.
- regulatory
- Related to official rules made by authorities.
- vintage
- Wine made from grapes harvested in a particular year.
- exceed
- To be more than a set amount or limit.
- heatwave
- A period of very hot weather that lasts several days.
Reading
France has temporarily lifted the regulatory limit on champagne's strength after record heatwaves. Producers may make wines up to 15% alcohol this year, above the usual 13% cap. The extreme heat and drought made grapes sweeter, and during fermentation yeast turns that sugar into alcohol.
The Champagne region saw its earliest-ever harvest, with the first grapes cut in early August. The Comite Champagne says such timing could become normal in 10 to 15 years because of climate change. A spokeswoman added that only a very small number of wines from this harvest are expected to exceed 13%, at about 13.1% or 13.2%, but the higher limit was approved as a safety net.
Some in the trade doubt stronger bottles will be popular, noting many consumers now prefer lower alcohol. The 2026 vintage is unlikely to reach shops until 2028, because champagne must age for at least 15 months.
Comprehension
- What change did France allow for champagne this year?
- What weather conditions made the grapes sweeter?
- When did the earliest harvest begin in the Champagne region?
- Who said earlier harvests could become normal in 10–15 years?
- When is the 2026 vintage likely to reach shops?
Grammar focus
Present perfect continuous
Use have/has + been + verb-ing to describe actions that started in the past and are still happening now. (Examples constructed.)
- Winemakers **have been monitoring** grape sugar levels since July.
- Vine growers **have been worrying** about hotter summers this year.
Grammar exercise
Complete each sentence using the present perfect continuous.
- Producers (make) ___ sweeter wines since the heat began.
- Growers (harvest) ___ earlier than usual this summer.
- Scientists (study) ___ how drought affects grape sugar levels.
- Vintners (experience) ___ hotter, drier conditions for months.
- Some consumers (choose) ___ lower-alcohol wines lately.
Discussion
- Should rules change when climate makes crops different? Why or why not?
- Do you think consumers will accept stronger champagne? Explain.
- What climate changes have you noticed in your region?
- How can producers balance nature and consumer tastes?
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