French champagne producers have been granted a temporary exemption allowing them to raise the drink's alcohol content above the usual 13% cap, following this summer's record-breaking heatwave. The extreme heat and drought pushed grape sugar levels higher than normal, which in turn increases the alcohol produced during fermentation; the Champagne region also recorded its earliest-ever harvest, a shift industry figures say could become routine within 10 to 15 years as the climate warms further.

The Comite Champagne, the industry's governing body, said the change will affect only a small number of wines whose alcohol content would otherwise have slightly exceeded the legal limit, reaching around 13.1–13.2%, so the ceiling has been raised to 15% for this year only. Harvesting began in early August and expanded by mid-month, described as the earliest ever recorded, after a growing season marked by severe spring frosts, early flowering and five separate heatwaves. Producers and commentators noted the irony that stronger champagne may not appeal to consumers, who increasingly favour lower-alcohol drinks, while the 2026 vintage will not reach shelves until 2028 due to ageing requirements.