Champagne harvest starts early in France as heatwave speeds ripening

No Comment Video. Champagne harvest starts early in France as heatwave speeds ripening Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 18/08/2026 - 18:15 GMT+2 Aerial and close-up footage shows an early Champagne grape harvest in Tours-sur-Marne as heatwaves force smaller crews and faster picking schedules Aerial shots show grape pickers moving through vineyards in Tours-sur-Marne as crews harvest under soaring temperatures. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Heatwave forces early start and smaller crews Driven by recent heatwaves, this year's Champagne grape harvest is kicking off earlier than ever. In Tours-sur-Marne, near Épernay, winegrower Ophélie Lapie-Lamiable is starting five days ahead of schedule. She is tackling the work with just half her usual crew as seasonal workers cut summer holidays short. Ripening accelerates across the region The accelerated ripening has disrupted schedules for growers and seasonal workers alike. Teams move faster to bring in fruit before quality drops under the heat. France climate change Wine champagne harvest Top stories Now playing Next Champagne harvest starts early in France as heatwave speeds ripening Now playing Next Spain and France battle wildfires as 17,000 hectares burn in Aragon Now playing Next Mount Etna erupts a day after US tourist killed by lightning Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | August 18th, 2026 – Evening Now playing Next Qatar says it returned Iranian pilot's remains, denies holding others Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | August 18th, 2026 – Midday Now playing Next Trump says 'no talks or conversations' taking place with Iran Now playing Next Stellantis recalls 955,000 cars: New setback for group's credibility Now playing Next Hungary opens sluice and sinks barges to protect Paks nuclear plant Now playing Next Ukraine has now hit seven of Wildberries' 10 biggest warehouses Now playing Next Trump threatens to bomb Oman if it impedes Strait of Hormuz talks Now playing Next Panathenaic Stadium's marble regains its shine: First cleaning of Greek arena in a century Now playing Next EU supports repatriation of unaccompanied migrant minors from Ceuta to Morocco Now playing Next Drought reveals Emperor Nero's bridge beneath Rome's Tiber river Now playing Next From code to reasoning: AI reshapes the skills of young programmers Now playing Next When the city lights up: discovering Uzbekistan after sunset ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Rhine River remains low amid ongoing drought in Germany No Comment Tokyo festival turns streets into a giant water fight No Comment 7,200 eggs cracked for giant omelette at Belgian festival No Comment Unexpected passengers: Two goats surprise passengers by boarding a bus Art Picasso print stolen in broad daylight from Milwaukee gallery found eight years later Europe News Germany opens new drone security centre in Saxony-Anhalt amid rising threats Europe News Sophie Adenot becomes first French woman to conduct spacewalk at ISS Europe News Risky jumps from France's Marseille corniche rise in popularity Europe News At least 10 killed in Russian strike in northeast Ukraine's Kharkiv region, governor says Europe News Hungary opens sluice and sinks barges to protect nuclear plant as Danube levels fall Ecotech Pocket-sized sensors and mobile apps are changing how Londoners track air pollution Zambia Zambia's Hakainde Hichilema wins re-election with 60% of vote, officials say ADVERTISEMENT USA Opening statements begin in long-awaited trial almost 30 years after hip-hop star Tupac Shakur was murdered Europe News Viennese woman takes city to court over toilet fees Israel Kushner's Gaza peace plan talks end without breakthrough Europe News Stellantis recalls 955,000 cars: New setback for group's credibility USA Hayden Panettiere: Authorities investigating cause of death as US media speculate on 'overdose' Earth News 'Our house is on fire, Andy': Activists send stark message to PM over new oil and gas drilling USA Trump threatens to bomb Oman if it impedes US-Iran Strait of Hormuz talks Yemen Yemen risks return to 'full-scale conflict' if Houthi strikes continue, UN rights chief warns ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT