By July, Northern Hemisphere vineyards are deep in the most demanding stretch of the growing season, and this year the pressure is unusually intense. Crews in cooler, vigorous areas are hedging shoots, pulling leaves around the fruit zone, and watching disease pressure — but in France, the defining story of the growing season so far in 2026 is heat. A record-breaking June heatwave that pushed temperatures as high as 44°C (112°F), followed by continued hot, dry weather, has slowed grape growth and scorched younger vines,…