The Alsace wine region in northeastern France has begun its earliest grape harvest on record, a sign of how climate change is reshaping viticulture in one of Europe’s most distinctive terroirs.
According to Gilles Ehrhart, president of the Alsace Winegrowers Association (AVA), the harvest for grapes destined for sparkling wine started earlier than ever before, while the official start date for Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) wines is set for August 25. This is ten days earlier than in 2024 and only three days later than the previous record set in 2018, when picking began on August 22.
A Rapidly Advancing Harvest
Ehrhart, a long-standing figure in the Alsatian wine sector, underlines the unprecedented shift:
“Thirty years ago, the difference in harvest dates was much greater. Today, the harvest has advanced almost one day per year.”
This acceleration, he says, is a direct consequence of climate change. What once was an anomaly is now a clear trend, with earlier and earlier ripening altering vineyard schedules and winemaking practices.
Weather Conditions Behind 2025’s Early Start
The climatic conditions of the 2025 season played a decisive role in pushing the harvest forward:
- Spring: Frost-free, allowing early budbreak and steady vine growth.
- June: A period of high temperatures, accelerating vine development.
- Late July: Heavy rains swelled grape berries, increasing water absorption.
- Early August: Another heat wave triggered rapid sugar accumulation in the fruit.
The combined effect has been a rapid rise in potential alcohol levels—up to two degrees per week, compared with the usual 1.2. Such acceleration leaves growers with little flexibility, forcing them to adapt quickly to avoid overripe fruit and imbalanced wines.
Regulatory Oversight and Special Permissions
The official harvest start date in Alsace is set by the National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO), the authority responsible for France’s appellations of origin. Some producers, concerned about fruit overripening, have already requested special authorization to begin picking before the general start date.
This regulatory framework, designed to preserve tradition and ensure quality, is being tested by climate-driven shifts that disrupt long-established cycles.
Implications for Alsace Wine
Alsace, known for its Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Crémant d’Alsace, faces growing challenges in maintaining balance between sugar, acidity, and aromatic expression. Earlier harvests risk producing wines with higher alcohol content and lower freshness—attributes that could affect the region’s stylistic identity.
At the same time, producers are adapting through vineyard management, varietal selection, and winemaking adjustments to safeguard the reputation of Alsace wines.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 Alsace harvest is not just the earliest in recent memory—it is a vivid reminder of how global warming is reshaping centuries-old traditions. While growers remain resilient, each early harvest underscores the need for adaptation in a sector where timing is everything.
Source: Vinetur