Champagne, Prosecco and English Sparkling — 2026-09-05
Champagne producers are pivoting to still wine production as extreme heat drives alcohol levels beyond traditional limits, while Prosecco exports show resilience in Asian and European markets despite US tariff pressures. Meanwhile, the French government delays its national wine crop forecast until September 8, citing the unprecedented early harvest conditions.
Champagne, Prosecco and English Sparkling — 2026-09-05
Top developments
Champagne Houses Shift to Still Wine Due to High Alcohol Levels
The intense heat of 2026 has caused musts and base wines in Champagne to reach alcohol content levels that exceed the traditional 13% by volume limit for sparkling wine production. Consequently, houses like Gosset are aging particularly ripe batches as still wine (Coteaux Champenois), and regulatory bodies are discussing a temporary relaxation of the 13% ABV cap to accommodate the vintage's characteristics. This marks a significant deviation from standard practice, driven by the need to manage the "too ripe" fruit profile resulting from the record-breaking summer temperatures
Prosecco Exports Defy US Tariff Fears with Growth in Asia and Europe
Despite a decline in US sales due to tariffs, Prosecco exports have surged in France, Eastern Europe, and Asia during the first five months of 2026. Industry leaders report that while the US market is challenging, the overall demand for sparkling wine remains robust, with Prosecco maintaining its competitive price point. This diversification has helped offset losses in North America, keeping the Italian sparkling sector on a positive trajectory for the year
French National Wine Crop Forecast Delayed to September 8
France has postponed its first official 2026 wine crop forecast until September 8, a significant delay compared to previous years. The decision stems from the unusually early and rapid onset of the harvest across various regions, including Champagne, where picking began in mid-August. Authorities state that heat and drought conditions have made it difficult to gauge national output accurately until more regions complete their harvests
Local view
Il Nord Est reports that Prosecco producers in the Veneto region are celebrating strong performance in non-US markets. The outlet highlights that sales in France, Eastern Europe, and Asia have compensated for the "tariff complications" in the United States, with industry figures noting that "Prosecco will always be good value"
Meilleursvinsbio (France) highlights the severity of the yield restrictions, noting that the Comité Champagne fixed the 2026 commercializable yield at 8,800 kg/ha. The outlet describes this as the "lowest yield of the modern era," emphasizing the pressure on growers to manage stock levels while dealing with a challenging climate
Context & numbers
- Champagne Yield Cap: Fixed at 8,800 kg/ha for 2026, equating to approximately 250 million bottles, down from 9,000 kg/ha in 2025
- Champagne Shipments (H1 2026): Reached 107.1 million bottles, a 1.2% year-on-year increase, putting the region on pace for ~269 million bottles for the full year
- Italian Wine Exports: Fell below €3 billion in the first five months of 2026, signaling broader challenges for the Italian beverage industry despite Prosecco's specific resilience
On the radar
- September 8, 2026: France releases its delayed national wine crop forecast, which will provide the first concrete data on the impact of the 2026 heatwave on national production volumes
- Venezia Film Festival: Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Docg continues its role as the official sparkling wine for the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, a third-year consecutive partnership aimed at boosting global brand visibility
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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