Climate Change May Wipe Out Over Half Of The World’s Wine Growing Regions

Rising temperature as a result of climate change could wipe out more than half of the world’s present wine-growing regions as well as force vineyards to change varieties in order to keep performing.

Researchers, from Harvard University in the United States, recently discovered that 2^oC of warming can cut out the amount of apt wine-growing regions by 56% or even more.

The rising temperature could wipe out more than half of the world’s present wine-growing regions as well as force vineyards to change varieties in order to keep performing

Trading their current grapes varieties for more heat-tolerant varieties could, however, assist in keeping some vineyards in full business. For instance, Mourvedre could be grown where pinot noir, merlot, and cabernet sauvignon is cultivated.

These cooler-temperatures grapes could afterward grow in new-wine producing regions, the North of their current locations.

Researchers, from Harvard University in the United States, recently discovered that 2^oC of warming can cut out the amount of apt wine-growing regions by 56%

Climate change is predicted to hit already hot regions including Spain and Italy, which both have no-more heat resistant varieties to trade.

‘Replacing Grenache or cabernet sauvignon for pinot noir, planting Trebbiano where Riesling is growing aren’t painless shifts. But they can ease winegrowers’ transition into a new and warmer world.’ Elizabeth Wolkovich of the University of British Columbia, a food and conversation scientist said.

Trading their current grapes varieties for more heat-tolerant varieties could, however, assist in keeping some vineyards in full business

Professor Wolkovich and other researchers discovered that if the average global temperature rises by 2^oC, the regions presently apt for growing good wine grapes could shrink.

Replacing Grenache or cabernet sauvignon for pinot noir, planting Trebbiano where Riesling is growing aren’t painless shifts’

With an estimated 4^oC warming, the loss of wine-growing regions could reach 85%. ‘These estimates do ignore significant changes every grower can make. We found that by switching to other varieties – Vintners can reduce the damage to about 24%.’ Prof Wolkovich added.

With an estimated 4^oC warming, the loss of wine-growing regions could reach 85%

Climate change is predicted to hit already hot regions including Spain and Italy, which both have no-more heat resistant varieties to trade

Other measures, including increasing irrigation and the use of shade cloths, according to the study could also help protect grapevines from higher temperatures, but only under little warming scenarios.

Source: Dailymail