Climate change brings new practices/earliest ever wine harvest to Bordeaux region

Severe drought caused the harvest in France’s Bordeaux region to begin this year in mid-August, rather than in mid-September. Yields may be 15-20% lower throughout the region, but the season has reportedly produced excellent grapes.

Growers were authorised to water adult vines, a practice usually banned in Bordeaux, and they reportedly changed pruning techniques, allowing leaves to protect grapes from the sun.

Producers are reportedly worried about what more global warming will bring to the region.