Global warming threatens French champagne-houses

Champagne is in danger of losing its distinctive flavour and fizz because of climate change — but warmer temperatures are taking English sparking wine from strength to strength.

Champagne producers are frantically researching new grape varieties amid fears that higher temperatures will cause a slump in production within decades because of a surge in fungal, viral and parasitic diseases on vines.

A heatwave in 2003, when France baked in record summer temperatures, caused alarm in the Champagne region as production fell by half because grapes dried up and lost acidity, an essential property for the wine to age properly and develop its aromas.