French vintners feel heat as leaders seek carbon consensus

France’s wine industry faces a major shake-up over the next 3½ decades as the impacts of a warming atmosphere force changes to traditions that have lasted generations. Already the grape harvest, which was once in late September, is routinely brought forward. In Bordeaux, the harvest has gone from the end of September to the end of August at times as farmers battle increasing levels of ¬alcohol in the grapes caused by heat. Champagne grapes are regularly being harvested two weeks earlier compared to 20 years ago.