France’s record heatwave pushes champagne alcohol levels to historic high
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Drinking this year's champagne might give you a heftier headache as France's record heatwaves are forcing some producers to up the alcohol levels, industry officials said Wednesday.
French authorities have allowed champagne houses to make their bubbly with alcohol content of up to 15 percent, a historic first for a wine usually limited to 13 percent.
Read moreFrench wine yields drop to new historic low after searing summer heat Growers had to harvest exceptionally early this year as extreme heat sped sugar buildup – and hence natural alcohol production – in the grapes, according to the Comite
Confirmed
Drinking this year's champagne might give you a heftier headache as France's record heatwaves are forcing some producers to up the alcohol levels, industry officials said Wednesday.
French authorities have allowed champagne houses to make their bubbly with alcohol content of up to 15 percent, a historic first for a wine usually limited to 13 percent.
Read moreFrench wine yields drop to new historic low after searing summer heat Growers had to harvest exceptionally early this year as extreme heat sped sugar buildup – and hence natural alcohol production – in the grapes, according to the Comite