France’s wine output set for 2025 rebound

France’s vineyards are bouncing back from last year’s weather-hit low, though wildfires and US tariffs could curb the recovery.

France’s wine production is expected to increase by 10–17% this year compared to 2024, after poor weather hit vineyards last year. The French farm ministry forecasts output of between 40 million and 42.5 million hectolitres in 2025, slightly below the five-year average of 42.9m hl.

A hectolitre equates to around 133 standard bottles of wine.

Dry, hot summer helps vineyards

The ministry said weather in 2025 has been “more favourable”, with a dry and hot start to summer reducing disease pressure on grapes. Many regions could start harvesting earlier than usual.

Output is expected to rise sharply in Burgundy, Champagne, the Loire Valley, and Charentes.

Last year, torrential rain damaged vineyards and encouraged grape disease.

Vine removal limits rebound in the southwest

In Bordeaux and Languedoc-Roussillon, gains will be capped by the removal of over 20,000 hectares of vines since 2024 under a government-backed restructuring programme aimed at tackling oversupply amid falling consumption.

Some producers have criticised the scheme for leaving the south more vulnerable to wildfires, following a major blaze this week in the Aude region.

Wildfires in the southwest have already damaged vines, raising concerns about the 2025 harvest.

Industry faces tariff pressures

The French wine and spirits sector also faces a potential €1 billion loss due to US import tariffs. American wine trade groups have called on President Donald Trump to exclude wine from tariffs on European goods, citing the importance of these imports to US businesses.

The French farm ministry’s estimates, current as of 1 August, will be updated in early September.