For those looking for more confirmation that the climate continues to change perceptibly, the 2025 harvest in Champagne stands as ready proof. In the last 30 years the average temperature in the region is up 2 degrees fahrenheit. Additionally. accurate records on the commencement date of the harvest in the region go back more than 200 years. On only 8 occasions during those 2 centuries has the harvest ever begun before September 1. All of these have take place since the year 2000 with 2025 being #8.

That being said, Producers I met with in both the North and the South of the region appeared quite pleased with the quality of their fruit and expect their wines to be reflective of that. Conditions in '25 were the diametric opposite of the previous year when Producers worked feverishly throughout the summer to manage vine and cluster health with incessant rain. It was almost uneventful in '25 as early August heat and generally dry conditions saw rapidly accelerating sugar levels while cool evenings preserved acidity levels. More than one Producer I met with noted that the crop size was down partly as a result of lighter cluster weights. All in all however, there is general consensus that 2025 will be a vintage year all Producers will be proud of.