French winemakers worry about 'smoky taste' after wildfires
Summary
French winemakers in southeastern France are concerned that this summer’s wildfires and smoke may affect the taste of their 2026 wine harvest. Experts and farmers are testing grapes to check if the smoke has changed their flavor, which could make the wine less desirable or unsellable.Key Facts
- Wildfires burned parts of vineyards in the Var region, destroying over 6,000 hectares of land.
- Winemakers fear the smoke could cause a "smoky" or burnt taste in the 2026 wine vintage.
- Smoke can bind to grape sugars, creating changes in flavor that appear after fermentation.
- Some vineyards lost half or more of their grape yield due to fire damage.
- Lab tests are being done to detect if grapes are still good for making wine.
- Wines with smoky flavors are not popular and may be hard to sell even if drinkable.
- One winemaker plans to harvest grapes in separate batches to reduce potential damage.
- Vineyards sprayed with fire retardant chemicals have been declared unfit for winemaking so far.
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