In Champagne, picking officially began between 12 and 17 August 2026 depending on the village, roughly a month earlier than what was long considered normal. It has been a testing vintage: after early budburst, spring frost destroyed nearly 43% of potential production, according to the Union des Maisons de Champagne. The summer heat then scorched part of the crop.
Burgundy 2026: a very small harvest, but an "explosion of flavours"
Burgundy has brought in one of its smallest vintages in recent years: about 30% less wine than the five-year average, according to the regional wine board (BIVB)
Spring frost, poor fruit set on the white varieties and then a scorching summer (some sixty days above 30 °C and a severe lack of rain) produced small, concentrated berries.
