Everywhere in the world, wine growing regions are confronted with climate change. In the Champagne region in France, however, winemakers have reason to cheer. This year's exceptional meteorological circumstances may lead to the best champagne of the century.

A calm but wet spring and a long hot summer resulted in perfect conditions for the grapes in this region, just an hour and a half east of Paris.

Over the past four weeks, more than 120,000 seasonal harvesters woke up early to pick the grapes in the burning sun. This weekend they've done their job.

Because of the high temperatures, even now in September, the grapes will be transported directly to the wine press, a few kilometers down the hill. The grape juice is collected in large iron casks and starts its transformation into the world's most famous sparkling wine.

"This year's grapes are more mature, will need less sugar, and will have a higher alcohol percentage than usual. It's all beneficial to the wine," said Jerome Dehours. He is the owner of Dehours & Fils in Mareuil-le-Port, a champagne house his family started in the 1930s.

Temperatures in Champagne have risen 1.2 degrees Celsius in the last thirty years. Dehours is worried about climate change but is also optimistic, calling it the Champagne Paradox.

Thanks to global warming, the world famous sparkling wine will become better and better in the next decades. However, climate change is a cause for concern in other regions. In the east of the country, in the Alsace, and in German wine regions, growers this year lost 20 to 30 percent of their grapes. And in areas like Burgundy and Bordeaux, the wine houses know that to survive, they will have to start growing different grapes. The character of their wines will change dramatically.

Up north, in the Champagne, it's a different story. "I think I have never seen this level of quality in thirty years," Jerome Dehours told CGTN when he poured himself a sizzling glass of his produce. Exceptional years get their vintage wine. But it takes a long time before these vintages are ready to drink.

"I think we will bring our 2018 Vintage on the market in 2028," said Dehours. That's a long wait, but then again, champagne lovers often call the bubbles "the Queen of the Wines."

(Top image: Grapes of the Dehours vineyards pictured just minutes after picked /CGTN Photo)