English sparkling wine producers are preparing for their earliest grape harvest on record, thanks to a record-hot summer that accelerated grape ripening. This marks what could be a "vintage year," a term used to describe a year of particularly high-quality wine production. Nyetimber, one of England’s pioneering sparkling wine producers, is set to begin picking grapes on 14 September, nearly a month earlier than its previous earliest harvest in 2018. The company, which operates 11 vineyards across West Sussex, Kent, and Hampshire, has hired 500 workers for the harvest, expecting to produce over 1.5 million bottles of sparkling wine from the 2026 vintage. Despite challenges such as late spring frosts and a summer drought, the abundance of sunny days is expected to have concentrated the sugar in the grapes, potentially leading to a high-quality vintage. Nyetimber’s head winemaker, Cherie Spriggs, noted that while the harvest may be slightly smaller than usual, the exceptional weather conditions have created strong potential for a remarkable wine. The company’s first vintage, Blanc de Blancs 1992, won numerous awards, and this year’s harvest is seen as another milestone in its history. However, the success of the wine industry contrasts sharply with the struggles of the beer sector, which faces a potential shortage due to poor barley yields. Lisa Hogan, co-owner of Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire with TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson, warns that extreme heat and drought have led to a record-low barley harvest. The farm produces Hawkstone Lager, a beer made famous by the show Clarkson’s Farm. Hogan said that two consecutive years of dry weather have resulted in both lower yields and poorer quality of barley. This is part of a broader trend: the UK’s summer was the hottest on record, with temperatures peaking at 38.1°C (100.1°F) in London. Scientists attribute these extreme conditions to the climate crisis, driven by the burning of fossil fuels. The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board has reported that the barley harvest could be the worst on record, with yields 19% below the five-year average. Hogan explained that without international grain imports, the UK is at risk of higher costs and potential shortages. As both the wine and beer industries grapple with the effects of climate change, the contrast between their fortunes highlights the growing challenges of agriculture in a warming world.