2025 Harvest Report
“Degrés un peu plus hauts, rendements un peu plus bas… mais un millésime exceptionnel.”
The 2025 growing season in the Loire Valley was marked by heat and drought during flowering and summer, leading to coulure, small berries, and reduced juice yields in many regions. The summer droughts also contributed to lower yields across the Loire, although consistently cool nights preserved freshness and acidity, and the sanitary state of the fruit was exceptional throughout. Alcohol levels are higher than in 2024 (which was extremely low) and more classic overall, slightly warmer than a normal year.
A notable feature of this vintage is that growers who worked their soils carefully were the big winners: with less competition from grass in the inter-rows, the limited rainfall was more directly absorbed by the vines, helping to maintain balance and ripeness.
While volumes are often down, the overall quality is excellent across the valley, with both whites and reds showing concentration, aromatic intensity, and vibrancy.
Picking started unusually early this year, with the first Muscadets harvested from 21st August and most appellations completed by mid-September. Reds from Chinon, Bourgueil and Saumur Champigny were largely finished by late September, and by early October virtually all of the Loire harvest (including ‘moelleux’) was over – one of the earliest and fastest campaigns on record.
As usual, Alex and Chris will be visiting all our producers from the Auvergne to Muscadet in November and December to taste the new vintage, putting together bespoke blends for some of our customers and discussing pricing and volumes for all the wines. This two-month project, which will take us right up to Christmas, culminates in the publication of our new catalogue early in January 2026.
Regional Summary
During harvest we managed to visit every appellation and many of our growers, so ahead of producing our full vintage report, which will give specific details on the quality of the finished wines, here is a summary of the 2025 vintage and our musings on tasting the first juices of this outstanding vintage.
Muscadet
Harvest 2025 will be remembered as one of the earliest ever, with Huchet beginning as early as 21st August. Yieldsrangedfrom35–60 hl/ha,averaging around45hl/ha,reflectingthesummerdrought andsmallberries. Alcohol levels remained moderate (11.0–12.5%), with superb freshness preserved thanks to consistently cool nights. Grapes were immaculate, producing wines of purity, aromatic intensity, and remarkable ageing potential. “We are convinced that 2025 will be remembered as a legendary vintage for the Crus – the balance in the wines is simply outstanding.” As stated by the Lieubeau Family.
Anjou
Harvest began late August. Fruit was very healthy, with Chenin Blancs showing 11.5%–13.0% abv, 4.5–5 g/l TA. Notably, Chenins harvested relatively early retained lower alcohol levels with outstanding balance, resulting in fresh, harmonious wines. This is expected to be an excellent year for both sweet wines and reds, marked by purity, ripeness, and concentration. “Some of the very first ‘tries’ began in early September, with potential alcohol already around 18%,” – Victor, Domaine du Matin Calme.
Loire Reds - Chinon, Bourgueil and Saumur Champigny
2025 is a superb year for Cabernet Franc, with near-perfect ripening conditions and September rains ensuring exceptional phenolic maturity. In Saumur, reds reached 13–13.5% abv with deep color and supple tannins (Paul Pisani from Targé even said ‘super glouglou’), while whites also impressed with 12–13.5% abv, vibrant acidity and strong concentration. Chinon produced reds at 13% abv with silky tannins and outstanding balance,on par with 2018 &2020 (‘maybe even better’ according to Jérôme Billard), and equally successful whites with refreshing acidity and expressive fruit. Bourgueil delivered gourmand, vibrant wines at 12.5–13.5% abv, confirming excellent quality despite reduced yields. Across these appellations, 2025 reds show ripeness, concentration and approachability, promising both immediate pleasure and ageing potential. As nearly everywhere in the Loire, yields are down 15–20% (40–50 hl/ha), adding further tension on availability.
Vouvray & Montlouis
Harvest began in early September. Vouvray yields are modest (~40 hl/ha) with dry wines at 12.0%–13.0% abv, 4.5–5.5 g/l TA. While volumes are slightly below the long-term average, Charles Lesaffre emphasizes “there shouldn’t be any real pressure on availability this year, the real story here is quality!” Montlouis shows 12.5% abv, 5.5–6 g/l TA with remarkable concentration. Both appellations report immaculate fruit and perfect balance. As Jean-Philippe Blot (Taille aux Loups) remarked: “It has been years since I’ve seen grapes this pure — we barely had to sort a single bunch.” While it is still a bit too early to be certain, 2025 could prove a great year for Moelleux & Liquoreux, with the coming weeks critical for noble rot development.
Touraine
Hail, drought, and grape worm pressure significantly reduced yields, often down to 30–35 hl/ha (–40 to –50%). Despite these challenges, the wines themselves are far better than expected. Sauvignon Blancs show 12.5%–13% abv, 3.5–4 g/l TA, with strong tartaric levels ensuring both freshness and aromatic intensity. The wines are concentrated, expressive and vibrant, even if volumes are very small. As Patrick Vauvy noted: “Given the difficult growing season, I expected the worst… but the quality in the cellar is beyond anything I imagined. We are more than delighted with the result.”
Central Vineyard Satellites – Menetou-Salon, Reuilly & Coteaux du Giennois
Harvest ran from late August to mid-September. Yields were reduced by coulure, drought, and some hail: ~40–45 hl/ha in Menetou, ~30 hl/ha in Reuilly, ~40 hl/ha in Giennois. Whites show 12.5%–13.5% abv, 3.5–4.5 g/l TA, pH 3.2–3.3, with tartaric acidity ensuring freshness despite modest total acidity. Reds achieved near-normal yields and are of very good quality. Overall, 2025 is a strong vintage for the satellites, far superior to 2024 according to Marc Thibaud from Domaine de Villargeau.
Pouilly-Fumé
Harvest spanned from late August to mid-September. Yields varied (40–55 hl/ha, down 10–30%) and were lower than expected overall, raising concerns about availability. Wines show 12.5%–13% abv, 3.8–4.5 g/l TA, pH around 3.2, with pure aromatics, minerality, and good freshness. The fruit quality was again here excellent, and the style is ripe but balanced, despite lower volumes. “Volumes will be tighter this year, and I expect demand to outstrip supply. but long-term partnerships will prove invaluable” – Christophe Denoël, Cave de Pouilly-sur-Loire.
Sancerre
Harvest took place from 1st to 17th September. Coulure and drought cut yields (35–55 hl/ha) and volumes are well below normal, following the very small 2024 vintage which has left stocks empty. Alcohols are high (13.0%–14.0%), aciditieslowerthan average but supported by good tartaric balance. As Alphonse Mellot put it: “For me, 2025 will be like 2020, but much fresher — concentrated, ripe, yet with a vibrancy that lifts the wines.”. While bulk prices remain high but stable, limited availability is expected to create strong tension on supply. The reds are also showing great promise this year, with deep colour, ripe yet supple tanninsand juicy fruit expression. Thanks to the cool nights and timely picking, 2025 looks already very exciting. “Probably one of the most balanced and exciting recent vintages for Sancerre Pinot Noir” according to Laurent Reverdy
Conclusion
The 2025 Loire Valley vintage will be remembered as one of exceptional quality, but also exceptional precocity. Almost everywhere, growers had finished harvesting at least a week before they even started in 2024 – one of the earliest campaigns in memory.
Yields are generally down, impacted by coulure, drought and in some places hail, though not disastrous everywhere. Muscadet, Anjou, Vouvray and Touraine report modest but sufficient crops, while in Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé volumes are tight,creating inevitabletension afterthe very small 2024 harvest. Here, longterm partnerships will matter more than ever, as historic clients are likely to be prioritized in each domain.
Stylistically, 2025 embodies the Loire paradox: higher alcohol than 2024, yet with freshness preserved by strong tartaric levels and cool nights. The whites are pure, precise and age-worthy; the reds, particularly Cabernet Franc, stand out as some of the best of the last decade, with ripeness, colour and supple tannins that offer both immediate pleasure and ageing potential. Pinot Noir in Sancerre is also a clear highlight.
Alcohol levels are undeniably higher, but we will do everything possible to limit declared increases to +0.5% (maximum +1%) on back labels, to soften the impact of UK duty rises and keep wines within acceptable thresholds.
In short, 2025 is a smaller but truly great vintage: Loire wines this year show concentration without heaviness, freshnesswithoutausterity, andpurity without compromise.
And a date for your diaries – our CSW Loire Valley Portfolio Tasting will take place at Glaziers Hall, London Bridge, on Thursday 22nd January 2026. More details to follow soon but if you are interested, please do get in touch with any of the CSW team.
With very best wishes and bon courage for successful trading in the remaining weeks of 2025, Chris, Alex, Lisa and Charlotte