French wine production forecast at 37.4 million hectoliters in 2025, up 3% from last year

French wine production is expected to reach 37.4 million hectoliters this year 2025, according to a report released Tuesday by the Ministry of Agriculture. This figure represents a 3% increase from last year’s rain-affected harvest but remains 13% below the average output of the past five years. The ministry attributes the shortfall to a combination of hot, dry weather in August and a reduction in vineyard area, both of which have impacted several key wine-producing regions.

The ministry’s latest estimates, based on data collected as of September 1, show that the heatwave and drought conditions in August affected vineyards in Charentes, Burgundy, Beaujolais, and Languedoc-Roussillon. These weather events reduced the juice content in grapes and accelerated ripening, which led to earlier harvests and lower yields in many areas. The ministry noted that these factors have significantly limited production potential for the 2025 vintage.

In addition to weather challenges, France’s total vineyard area has shrunk. More than 20,000 hectares have been uprooted since last year’s harvest in Bordeaux, the South-West, and Languedoc-Roussillon. This reduction is partly due to government subsidies aimed at addressing oversupply amid declining domestic wine consumption. However, some producers have criticized this policy, arguing that it leaves southern regions more exposed to wildfires.

Champagne producers are set to begin harvesting in early September, earlier than usual. Despite facing heat stress and poor flowering conditions earlier in the season, Champagne’s output is projected to be 12% higher than last year but still 10% below its five-year average. In Bordeaux, harvesting began in mid-August due to high temperatures. While production there is expected to match last year’s levels, it remains 15% below the recent average.

The Beaujolais region is facing its lowest yield since 2012, according to the ministry’s report. Languedoc and the South-West are also experiencing reduced output this year. In contrast, the Loire Valley anticipates an increase in production compared to last year.

A hectoliter equals 100 liters or about 133 standard bottles of wine. Last year’s French wine harvest totaled 36.25 million hectoliters after a season marked by heavy rainfall, droughts, and late frosts—conditions that brought production close to historic lows seen in 2017 and 2021.

France competes with Italy and Spain as one of the world’s largest wine producers. Earlier forecasts from the ministry had predicted a harvest between 40 million and 42.5 million hectoliters for this year. However, those projections were revised downward after August’s extreme weather further reduced crop potential.

The Ministry of Agriculture expects that while there will be some recovery from last year’s low point, overall French wine production will remain well below historical norms for at least another season. The outlook varies by region: Burgundy, Champagne, and the Loire Valley may see modest increases over last year’s volumes, while Alsace and Languedoc are likely to experience further declines.

Producers across France continue to monitor weather patterns closely as they adapt to changing climate conditions and shifting market demands. The ongoing reduction in vineyard area reflects broader trends affecting the industry as it seeks to balance supply with consumption while managing environmental risks.