The Guardian view on France's wine crisis: the answer to claret could be clairet | Editorial
Briefly

The Bordeaux wine industry faces critical challenges due to climate change and decreasing demand for red wines. Grapes in this region have traditionally ripened by mid-August, but the climate crisis has created higher temperatures, pressuring winegrowers to adapt with hardier grape varieties. Moreover, demand for Bordeaux's iconic red wines has dropped significantly, with a 38% decline in France over five years and a halving of demand in China since 2017. This market decline represents an existential crisis for Bordeaux, with production selling only 500 million of the 650 million bottles produced annually.
The 2025 vintage picking decision is critical. Bordeaux's wine market faces challenges from climate changes impacting growing conditions and major demand drops for red wines.
The Gironde region in Bordeaux has seen maximum temperatures close to 40C, emphasizing the urgency for adaptation in grape varieties and cultivation practices.
Demand for red wine in France has dropped by 38% over the past five years, a significant decline that has deeply affected Bordeaux's renowned wine industry.
Bordeaux production of approximately 650 million bottles a year has faced major challenges with sales declining to 500 million bottles amid changing market pressures.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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