Earliest-ever harvest for Champagne Drappier following ‘remarkably warm’ summer
Champagne Drappier has reported the earliest-ever harvest in its over-200-year-old history, after growing conditions it described as “remarkably warm and dry”.
Picking began on 19 August at the family-owned estate in Urville – where its history dates back to 1808.
Eighth generation winemaker Hugo Drappier added that only the 1976 harvest – 50 years ago – had a comparably favourable outlook.
- Read more: Friday Read – Nurturing Irish wine
He explained: “The last time we saw such a perfect sanitary state was exactly 50 years ago. At Drappier, we experienced comparable conditions on only two occasions during the 20th century, in 1947 and 1976. This is the first time our house has seen anything like it in the 21st century.
“Even in 2003, when we harvested on 25 August, we did not begin this early. The ripening conditions in 2026 led us to start picking on 19 August – a first for us.”
This harvest followed a particularly short growing season, shaped by several factors including four spring frosts – reducing the number of fertile buds – followed by a summer that was significantly warmer and drier than usual, accelerating ripening and reducing disease pressure.
Champange Drappier said that all nine varieties that it cultivates – Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Meunier, Blanc Vrai, Fromenteau, Arbanne, Petit Meslier, Voltis and Chardonnay Rose – have been top quality this year.
Hugo Drappier added: “The first juices reveal plenty of fruit and sunshine, but also, importantly, a lovely freshness. Malic acid levels are lower than usual. This means that, once malolactic fermentation is complete, the wines should retain a particularly interesting freshness and balance. It is still too early to know everything this harvest has in store for us, but the 2026 vintage should offer a truly unique and exciting profile.”
Both in Champagne and among English sparkling wine producers, expectations for exceptional harvests have been attributed to the unusual heat seen across Europe this summer – which scientists have pointed to as an impact of climate change, as Harpers has reported.
During the consecutive heatwaves of the past few months, France recorded its hottest national average day on record, while at one point 98% of the country was under heat alerts.
Drappier noted that the challenges of climate change are not new for champagne producers with his grandfather harvesting in October, his father in September, and him now harvesting just into August.
Increasingly early harvests have invited discussion across the region, with many producers worried about the impact of a warming world on their long-held traditions.
For more on how champagne houses are adapting for the modern world, you can read all about Harpers' collaborative innovation roundtable with Drappier in the upcoming edition of the magazine.
Keywords:
Search
56-58 Church Walk, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 9AN
Registered in England No. 6646125. VAT No. 938 4452 95