News — Champagne

France’s 2026 harvest has begun in August in many regions, far earlier than the traditional September rhythm. The reason is straightforward: prolonged heat and drought have accelerated ripening while reducing acidity, forcing growers to make picking decisions earlier than they would prefer.

Sotheby’s Wine Exclusives team in New York opened its September Sale on September 3, 2026, bringing together collector-focused wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne, and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

August 2026 is a busy month for fine‑wine auctions, with high‑end European and US buyers focusing on rare Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne lots coming under the hammer in both Europe and the US. For anyone holding or hunting blue‑chip bottles, this month’s auctions are a useful barometer of where the premium market really is, beyond indices and theory.  

June 2026 has brought two very different Champagne headlines: a high‑end gastronomic event built around rare old bottles of Lanson’s Noble Champagne, and a limited‑edition release from Piper‑Heidsieck featuring Marilyn Monroe on the label.