France Temporarily Raises Champagne Alcohol Limit to 15% After Heatwave

French authorities granted champagne producers a temporary waiver to raise maximum alcohol content from 13% to 15% due to record heatwaves and drought that increased grape sugar concentration. This marks a regulatory adaptation to climate-driven harvest changes, potentially setting a precedent for other appellations. The move signals accelerating climate impact on premium agriculture and may affect production costs and market positioning.