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England’s Earliest Sparkling Wine Harvest and Brewing Concerns Amid Record Heat
By Drooid · · How we work
Early Harvest and Barley Shortage Amid Record Heat
English sparkling winemakers are beginning to pick grapes on September 14, the earliest start since Nyetimber planted its first vines in 1988. The same summer that prompted this early harvest also produced a poor barley crop, raising fears of reduced beer supplies. Nyetimber expects the 2026 harvest to yield about 2,500 tonnes of grapes, enough for more than 1.5 million bottles of sparkling wine. Meanwhile, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board reports that barley yields are 19 % below the five-year average, potentially the worst harvest on record.
Heatwave Context
June 2026 was the hottest month on record in England since observations began in 1884, and temperatures peaked at 38.1 °C (100.1 °F) on August 13 at Kew Gardens, London. Scientists have linked the intensity of these heatwaves to the climate crisis driven by fossil-fuel combustion.
Statements from Industry Stakeholders
Lisa Hogan, who runs Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire with TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson, warned that barley farmers are struggling to irrigate crops, leading to “less beer all around.” She noted that the previous year’s barley yields were poor but of higher quality, and that this year’s dry conditions have harmed both harvest volume and quality.
The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board warned that the barley shortfall could force higher grain prices and limit imports, such as from Poland, increasing costs for brewers and consumers.
Impact on Wine and Beer Markets
The early grape picking positions the 2026 vintage as a potential “vintage year” for English sparkling wine, despite a slightly smaller overall harvest due to frost-damage. Conversely, the projected barley deficit threatens beer production, with brewers anticipating supply constraints and possible price increases for consumers.
Outlook
Both sectors face a dual challenge: leveraging the favorable conditions for high-quality sparkling wine while navigating the broader agricultural stress caused by unprecedented heat. The situation underscores the immediate economic implications of climate-driven weather extremes for England’s beverage industries.
