Languedoc harvest: Wet winter allows for vineyard resilience following summer heat

By Hamish Graham

Published: 28 September, 2026

Estates in France’s largest winegrowing region Languedoc have had a busy harvest this August and September. The region’s trade body CIVL detailed that producers are reporting quality white grapes, a good overall red harvest and resilient vineyards thanks to a wet winter.

Despite the anticipated overall French wine production decline, France’s agriculture ministry expects Languedoc-Roussillon’s output will rise 5% year on year. This year’s level is still likely to be 8% below the 5-year (2021 to 2025) average, however.

By region, within the Gard (which includes appellations such as Pic-Saint Loup), the Pyrénées-Orientales (which Roussillon is within) and La Clape AOP, “the winegrowers are satisfied with the level of the harvest, even if volumes remain variable and sometimes lower than historical levels”, according to CIVL.

Read more: Majestic launches first ever digital loyalty scheme

During summer there were “many days above 35C and several episodes above 40C”, detailed the trade organisation. Despite this, winter precipitation has allowed for “good resistance” to heat in the vineyards. The preceding winter saw 50 days above seasonal average rainfall.

The CIVL stressed, however, that the “management of water resources nevertheless remains a major issue for the coming years, after several campaigns marked by water deficit”.

Persistent Picpoul

Picpoul de Pinent, the Languedoc’s most famous region in the eyes of the UK consumer – with the majority of the region’s exports heading to British shores – had an at-times “trying” growing season.

“Early and severe heatwaves”, said the CIVL, put stress upon the vines before a drought set in, soils becoming very dry from the end of June onwards. When a storm came on 25 August it was “lifesaving”.

The trade body expands: “In a few hours, it made it possible to unblock vines that had been completely slowed by the summer drought and to restart their activity. Everything then accelerated very quickly, with a harvest carried out at full speed, like a real sprint.”

Among growers – in a region where 80% of vines are tended by cooperative producers – “the relief” was “profound”, with the harvested grapes of good quality and health.

Heading west and inland from coastal Picpoul to the dynamic AOP Saint-Chinian, the white harvest began from the beginning of August, though the reds “required more patience”, said the CIVL. The late rainfall that benefited Picpoul also was a boon for Saint-Chinian allowing grape ripening to continue apace. Strong grape health was reported here too.

Harpers visited the ever-evolving Languedoc region – including both Picpoul de Pinet and Saint-Chinian – earlier this year. To read more click here.

Image – The red soils of Picpoul de Pinet-Grés de Montpellier straddling estate Château Saint Martin de la Garrigue

Printer friendly version