Heatwaves bring an early wine harvest in France

Summary

Some French winegrowers, including in the Bordeaux region, began harvesting their grapes on Thursday, historically early after a summer marked by successive heatwaves, drought and devastating wildfires. As one grape-picker told the newspaper Sud Ouest, “usually, we’d still be on vacation.” Despite the environmental turmoil, winemakers say the quality of the wine itswineelf will not be affected. Harvest season has already been moving earlier due to climate change, affecting farmers across the country and prompting some to switch to crops that require less water. Caitlin Brown has this report.