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STORY: Scorching temperatures in southern France could mean less - but higher quality - wine.

That’s according to one wine maker….

Who's starting work at 3 a.m. to escape the oppressive heat.

Jerome Volle says it will mean his output takes a hit.

“The heatwave will lead to a fall in production that we estimate today at 10 to 20%. This of course will have a financial impact on farmers and wine producers.”

With a late summer hot spell broiling large parts of the country...

The problem is larger than Volle's operation.

One union official told Reuters the hot weather could lead to lower wine output across the whole south of France.

Authorities have widened a “red alert” - their most serious heatwave warning.

Temperatures have spiked above what’s typical in cities including the capital, Paris…

and the country’s third-largest city, Lyon.

In the wine-producing Rhone Valley where Volle works…

Temperatures could peak near 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42 Celsius) this week…

But Volle says it’s not all bad news.

“The Ardeche and Drome departments are (being) hit by a historic heatwave, as are other parts of southeastern France. This is challenging for the vines, it is hard on plants as well as on humans. In the vineyard, this leads to a high concentration of grape berries that leads to a better quality of both grapes and the wines that we will be producing.”

The heat could burn the grapes a little, he says.

But if he can time the overnight picking just right - and hit the ideal temperature...

Volle says that can preserve the grapes' aroma - and create something really special.

“This year grape berries concentration is happening late and this will boost the quality and the cost of wine, as well as the flavors that will blend in this wine, which I hope will be of exceptional quality for the 2023 season.”