CORTE FRANCA, Italy (AP) — Extreme heat is pushing Italy’s Franciacorta winemakers to harvest grapes earlier than expected. Rising temperatures and low rainfall are accelerating ripening, forcing producers to adapt as they work to preserve the quality of their wines.
A worker picks wine grapes as he protects himself from the sun with a towel during the harvest in Corte Franca, northern Italy, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
A worker picks wine grapes as he protects himself from the sun with a towel during the harvest in Corte Franca, northern Italy, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
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Workers unload crates of wine grapes on a tractor during the harvest in Corte Franca, northern Italy, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Workers unload crates of wine grapes on a tractor during the harvest in Corte Franca, northern Italy, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
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Workers pick wine grapes during the harvest in Corte Franca, northern Italy, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Workers pick wine grapes during the harvest in Corte Franca, northern Italy, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
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A worker stands close to grape crates during the harvest in Corte Franca, northern Italy, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
A worker stands close to grape crates during the harvest in Corte Franca, northern Italy, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
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Workers pick wine grapes during the harvest in Corte Franca, northern Italy, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Workers pick wine grapes during the harvest in Corte Franca, northern Italy, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
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A worker carries a crate of wine grapes during the harvest in Corte Franca, northern Italy, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
A worker carries a crate of wine grapes during the harvest in Corte Franca, northern Italy, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
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A hot worker picks wine grapes during the harvest in Corte Franca, northern Italy, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
A hot worker picks wine grapes during the harvest in Corte Franca, northern Italy, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
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Workers pick wine grapes during the harvest in Corte Franca, northern Italy, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Workers pick wine grapes during the harvest in Corte Franca, northern Italy, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
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A man walks in a Berlucchi’s hold cantina in Corte Franca, northern Italy, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
A man walks in a Berlucchi’s hold cantina in Corte Franca, northern Italy, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
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Dining and Cooking