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2024 was a challenging year for French Champagne producers. Economic uncertainties and climate changes played long-lasting roles in affecting both the harvest and the yields.

To start the year on a bad note, Champagne saw a significant downturn in 2024 with a notable decline of 9.2% in shipments. Factors such as economic uncertainties in major markets like France and the US, along with inflation and political instability, contributed to this trend. So did the popularity of Prosecco, Moscato based Asti Spumante and other sparkling wines (and why not, English sparkling wines). This was following a dramatic increase in sales in 2021 after the Covid pandemic, as mentioned in our post After frosts, Champagne harvest threatened by rain and mildew fungus. Maxime Toubart, president of the Syndicat Général des vignerons and co-president of the Comité Champagne said, “Champagne is a real barometer of the state of mind of consumers. It is not time to celebrate given inflation, conflicts across the world, economic uncertainties, and political wait-and-see in some of the largest champagne markets, such as France and the United States.”

Weather conditions did not favour. The Champagne region faced an adverse climate. Early spring frosts and a wet summer led to the spread of mildew, damaging the vineyards. The overall vineyard development fell behind by 5-6 days compared to the ten-year average. An exceptionally rainy season further complicated matters, under the influence of El Nino in the Pacific and the cold snap that hovered over France for several months. On average up to twice the average annual rainfall compared to 2023, requiring intensive work to control the mildew. Despite average temperatures above ten-year norms, the cold weather made itself felt on several occasions: Spring frost in April had a major impact on the vineyards of the Côte des Bar and a few plots in the Marne region, as well as widespread stripping due to frost damage in a number of plots (potential bunches of grapes transformed into tendrils). The harvest potential was therefore limited from the outset.

Due to challenging weather conditions and strategic decisions to cut down grape harvest numbers, the 2024 harvest amounted to 271.4 million bottles, down 9.2% from the previous year. The Comité Champagne had set the available yield for 2024 at 10,000 kg/ha on the Champagne Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), which was lower compared to 11,400 kg/ha in 2023.

Despite adversity, the 2024 French Champagne harvest produced a vintage with exceptional character. The aromatic concentration and balanced acidity essential for high-quality wines were maintained. Taittinger Champagne says “in many respects, 2024 falls between 2012 and 2016: good acidity levels, a good malic acid/tartaric acid ratio, a gradual but linear increase in sugar levels, etc. which means we need to wait for the aromatic change in the berries and a good level of ripeness, particularly for the Chardonnay grape variety. There is a big difference in ripeness between the black varieties (Pinot meunier and Pinot Noir) and the Chardonnay.” Champagne House Gosset stated “This year, the three grape varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier) offer a remarkable balance between sugar and acidity, with a high malic acid content, a characteristic indicating potentially high quality for Gosset Champagnes. On the aromatic front, the Pinots ( editor : Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Pinot blanc are allowed) are generous, displaying enticing red fruit notes, while the Chardonnays reveal fruity citrus aromas. All the grape varieties exhibit a beautiful tension on the palate. The House is pleased with this harvest, despite the significant yield disparities observed. Now, the focus turns to the excitement in the winery throughout October, as the first vinifications are underway. However, it’s still too early to know if 2024 will be declared a vintage year.“

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