France is set to witness a significant increase in its wine production in 2025, with estimates projecting between 40 and 42.5 million hectolitres. This rebound is particularly notable in key regions such as Burgundy, Champagne, and the Loire Valley, which faced challenging weather conditions in the previous year. According to the French agriculture ministry’s Agreste statistics division, the forecast marks a recovery from 2024, which saw one of the smallest harvests in over six decades at just 36.3 million hectolitres due to adverse weather events.
The change in fortunes for vineyards is attributed to more favorable growing conditions this season. Agreste reported that early summer weather helped mitigate disease pressure, and no major weather disruptions have been reported so far. Burgundy, in particular, is expected to see a substantial increase in volumes, recovering from last year’s challenges where mildew issues had a significant impact.
In contrast, while Bordeaux and Languedoc-Roussillon are also poised for production gains, challenges remain. Bordeaux has experienced a partial offset due to vineyard removal plans initiated in 2023, which saw over 20,000 hectares of vines removed. Similarly, Languedoc-Roussillon is expected to recover from last year’s difficulties, despite some lost production due to the removal of over 10,000 hectares of vines.
The anticipation for the Champagne region is also positive, with production expected to significantly exceed last year’s volumes and align closely with average yields. Vineyard health in the Loire Valley remains robust, and overall production is expected to be above the five-year average despite some local hail damage.
The projected recovery aligns with broader trends in European wine production. Italy anticipates producing around 45 million hectolitres in 2025, while Spain sees an increase to 37.5-38 million hectolitres. Both countries face pressing challenges from drought and extreme weather, yet are managing to maintain or improve production outputs.
Agreste is expected to refine its forecast in September, providing a more detailed breakdown by region, which will be closely monitored by those in the wine industry as they navigate this improving landscape after a particularly challenging recent period.