France's wine industry, the largest wine exporter in Europe, is suffering from wildfires. This summer, wildfires have burned at least 465,000 hectares of land, with the Gironde fires being the largest since 1949. The wildfires have caused grapes to ripen prematurely, affecting acidity and increasing alcohol content. Additionally, smoke can penetrate grape skins, releasing a smoky flavor during fermentation and reducing wine quality. Wildfires have also hindered wine tourism, a crucial revenue stream for wineries during a period of declining wine consumption. As of September 1, small-scale fires were still present in southern France, but all were under control.