The temporary increase in champagne’s alcohol content is only expected to affect a small number of wines, a spokeswoman for the Comite Champagne told the BBC.During the second fermentation process, which gives champagne its bubbles, “a very small number of wines from this harvest could have slightly exceeded the regulatory limit of 13%, reaching around 13.1% or 13.2%”. “Therefore a decision was made to exceptionally and temporarily increase the regulatory limit to 15% – only for this year,” she said.
The first grapes were cut in early August and the harvest expanded by the middle of the month, “the earliest ever recorded in Champagne”, the association said.”The 2026 growing season will be remembered as one of the most unusual in Champagne’s history, marked by severe spring frosts of historic intensity, an exceptionally early flowering period and five heatwaves throughout the summer.”
Source: France lifts alcohol content limit on champagne after record heatwaves
