The 2019 summer heat has been particularly devastating across the globe. While the west coast of the USA has repeatedly suffered through long droughts during the summer months, especially California, one of its fellow wine producing countries in Europe is feeling the heat just as badly. Unfortunately, it appears Global Warming is the culprit.

As of August 2019, France’s wine output was expected to fall 12% due to spring frosts that destroyed multiple vineyards and was followed by intense summer heatwaves that the land simply couldn’t handle. That harvest, the overall production was estimated to reach 1.15 billion gallons. This may sound on the surface like a decent harvest, but in actuality, it is down significantly from the 2018 harvest according to the country’s agriculture ministry. 

The short harvest was born with this spring’s cold fronts that killed off young grape clusters or stunted their growth and then experienced a series of heatwaves which withered grapes on the vine, especially in the south.

European and US researchers later determined that July 2019 had been the hottest month on record, however rains in August managed to limit the losses in some areas, so while wine lovers may have to do with a limited selection this season, there are still many French wines that make its way to the market this past November. 

What this means for summer 2020

With the devastating heat from the 2019 summer affecting the land, the yellow vest protests filling the streets of France since 2018 (affecting employees across France), the increased percentage in U.S.A. tariffs which caused mass orders to cancel and now the 2020 COVID-19 virus quarantine leaving vineyards sparse with employees, the wine market has been hit hard over the past year. Forging into the summer of 2020, wine owners are facing the facts that delays are inevitable, including unveiling the 2019 vintage will be on hold or delayed. People will still have access to ordering wines, having them delivered, or finding them on store shelves, but the future of the industry will be severely affected. Only time will tell just how severe and Wine Spectator has more on the topic.

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about why wine lovers across the globe will be Weathering the French Wine Storm for the next season. What do you think farmers can do in the next season to mitigate their losses? Join the conversation below!