France Faces One of Its Lowest Wine Productions in 67 Years

France, the world's second-largest wine producer, is grappling with one of its most challenging vintages in decades. With an estimated output of 39.3 million hectoliters for 2024, the country is experiencing an 18% drop compared to the previous year and an 11% decline from the average over the past five years. This marks one of the lowest productions since 1957, and according to France's Ministry of Agriculture and Food, such dismal yields have not been seen since the aftermath of World War II.

The sharp decline in France's wine production is largely attributed to unfavorable weather patterns that have severely affected nearly all of the country's wine-growing regions. The data paints a sobering picture for a country renowned for its vinous heritage. From cold spells to excessive rain, France's vineyards have borne the brunt of shifting climatic conditions. In particular, the Jura, Charentes, Loire Valley, and Burgundy-Beaujolais regions have suffered some of the steepest production losses.

The initial September forecast was lowered following a closer inspection of late-blooming vines, notably in Charentes. While the current estimate may slightly surpass 2021's disastrously low yields, the 2024 harvest will affect all categories of French wine, including those earmarked for the production of eaux-de-vie, which will see a staggering 34% reduction after 2023's exceptional harvest.

Several weather-induced phenomena have exacerbated the struggles of French viticulture. Among them are coulure and millerandage, two issues that interfere with the grape growing cycle. Coulure refers to the premature dropping of flowers and young berries, while millerandage results in uneven grape development. These problems have been further aggravated by spells of cold and damp weather during the flowering stage, which provided fertile ground for downy mildew. This disease has wreaked havoc in many of France's key wine regions. Moreover, frost and hailstorms have compounded these issues, further diminishing the year's grape yields.

The impact of 2024's poor weather conditions has not been evenly distributed, with some regions faring worse than others. The Jura, a relatively small but significant region, is one of the hardest hit, experiencing a 71% decrease in production due to severe frost and mildew. Champagne, typically a robust player in French wine, is expected to see a 16% reduction, mostly driven by spring frosts, mildew, and summer hail. Despite this decline, Champagne will still perform better than its five-year average.

Burgundy is another region facing significant challenges. Its premier wine-growing area, Côte d'Or, has been ravaged by mildew, with hailstorms also taking their toll, especially in Yonne. As a result, the Burgundy-Beaujolais region is projected to see a 25% drop in production compared to 2023. This decrease reflects the increasingly erratic nature of weather patterns in the region, which, despite its winemaking pedigree, is not immune to the challenges of modern viticulture.

In Alsace, colder and wetter conditions during the flowering season will lead to a 13% drop in production, reflecting the challenges faced by even the cooler-climate regions of France. In Savoie, frost and mildew have combined to reduce yields by 5%, although the region's output remains stable when measured against its five-year average.

Loire Valley and Bordeaux Under Pressure

In the Loire Valley, one of France's most diverse wine regions, mildew and coulure have slashed production by 30% compared to 2023. Even more concerning, this year's output is 15% lower than the average for the past five years, signaling a significant disruption in a region known for its versatility in white, red, and sparkling wines.

Bordeaux, a global symbol of fine wine, faces a unique set of challenges. The ongoing plan to uproot 8,000 hectares of vines, coupled with losses from coulure, millerandage, mildew, and hail, has contributed to a 10% drop in production. This follows an already reduced harvest in 2023, marking a second consecutive year of below-average yields in one of the world's most prestigious wine regions.

Southern France and Corsica: Drought and Disease

In the Languedoc-Roussillon region, heavy early-summer rains promoted the spread of mildew, further undermining what was already a challenging growing season. Meanwhile, drought conditions in Aude and the Pyrénées-Orientales limited the potential harvest. As a result, Languedoc-Roussillon is expected to see a 4% reduction compared to last year. The south-east of France, including Provence and the Drôme, has also suffered from frost and millerandage, which will likely result in a 12% drop in production compared to both 2023 and the region's five-year average.

Corsica, the Mediterranean island known for its robust and distinctive wines, has also seen its fair share of climatic challenges. Despite the rains of August providing some respite from the summer drought, production is still expected to fall by 5% compared to 2023. Nevertheless, Corsica's harvest will be 9% above its five-year average, demonstrating some resilience in the face of changing conditions.

The Broader Implications of Climate Change

The difficulties faced by France's wine industry in 2024 underscore a growing problem: the increasing unpredictability and severity of weather patterns as a result of climate change. Over the past few years, French winemakers have contended with a range of extreme weather events—late frosts, excessive rainfall, summer heatwaves, and droughts—all of which have severely impacted both the quality and quantity of wine produced.

While some regions have managed to adapt to these challenges better than others, the long-term outlook remains uncertain. As French viticulture continues to confront the evolving threats posed by climate change, the need for innovation, sustainability, and climate resilience becomes ever more pressing. For now, the country's winegrowers face the immediate task of salvaging what remains of this year's harvest and preparing for an increasingly unpredictable future.