Champagne producers expect a record harvest this year – Kommersant

Producers of champagne wines have begun the harvest, which promises to be a record, reports Le Figaro with reference to the statement of the Champagne committee.

Harvesting began today in the commune of Mongueux (department of Aube), but the vast majority of vineyards will begin harvesting only on September 7, follows from the harvesting schedule published on the website of the Champagne committee. David Châtillon, president of the Champagne Producers Association, said this year’s harvest “promises to be a record in terms of volume”, with the weight of the bunches reaching “an unprecedented 220 grams”. At the same time, the current harvest record was recorded in 2005, the weight of grapes then reached 175 grams, said Mr. Chatillon. Winemakers and champagne houses have decided to set the market yield for 2023 at 11.4 thousand kg per hectare.

However, a high yield does not please winemakers. If in 2021, after the removal of coronavirus restrictions, sales grew, and in 2022 they even reached a record level for 15 years of 325.5 million bottles, this year the demand for wines has noticeably decreased. According to the Champagne Committee, only 314 million bottles of champagne will be sold in 2023.

Formerly French and EU authorities agreed €200 million to help French vintners suffering from a significant drop in demand for wine this year. The program will distill excess wine into ethanol, which can be sold for industrial uses such as perfumes or hydroalcoholic gels. In addition, the authorities are ready to help wineries cut down part of the vineyards and occupy these areas with other crops.

Kirill Sarkhanyants