France's Wine Woes: A Vintage Dampened by Rare September Showers

France's 2024 wine crop projection has been slashed due to the rainiest September in 25 years, affecting major regions like Champagne, Burgundy, and Beaujolais. The latest forecast falls 22% below last year's crop and 15% below the five-year average, as adverse weather continued to plague winemakers.

The French wine industry faces a challenging year as the country's agricultural ministry slashed its 2024 projections following the rainiest September in a quarter-century. The anticipated yield is now predicted to be one of the worst, especially impacting renowned regions such as Champagne, Burgundy, and Beaujolais.

In a recent report, the farm ministry revised its forecast to 37.5 million hectolitres, aligning it with the poor 2021 vintage detrimentally affected by frost. This figure is 22% lower than last year and 15% below the five-year average, highlighting the severe impact of unfavorable weather conditions on all wine-growing areas.

Particularly hard hit are the Champagne, Burgundy, and Beaujolais regions, with expected drops of 33% and 35% respectively. Issues such as millerandage and coulure, alongside challenges from other crops like cereals due to heavy rainfall, have led to early harvests and reductions in grape yields as producers strive to mitigate further losses.

(With inputs from agencies.)