Results: The Impact of Climate Change on the Global Wine Industry

In Europe, the impact of global warming on wine growing regions would be large. The loss of the Gulf Stream would chill Bordeaux and parts of Spain, forcing a replanting toward cooler climate grapes. However, other regions would become warmer. Alsace, for example, has been experiencing a shortening of the growing season and a shift of harvest from October to September in the last three decades. Burgundy may soon come to "resemble Bordeaux." So troubling is this possibility, even the term, "climat," as an expression of Burgundian identity, is facing pressure toward redefinition. Even the region׳s planting of Pinot noir may wane as the finicky grape begins to lose viability. Did you know that adapting and using grapes from other regions may save the future of Wine in Bordeau?

Spain׳s interior may experience such change in rising temperatures and water availability, that it "may be difficult to survive" at all. Tuscany׳s Chianti region is finding grapes ripening far too early forcing a shift in varieties. Vast portions of Europe on the Mediterranean coastline, especially Italy, Greece, and France, may become completely inhospitable to grape production by 2050. Extreme heat, and devastating wildfires are impacting vineyards in Spain. Were you aware they are picking the grapes at night due to the extreme temperatures and much earlier in the year?

To use a French term, it's all about the 'terroir'. Both the soil and climate in South East England are incredibly well suited to growing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes because they allow for a long, slow ripening season. Global warming means that the climate in France is starting to get too hot to grow these varieties so, the French have had to start looking at alternative cooler-climate sites. Not only is England's climate the same as it was in Champagne 30 years ago but parts of the country, particularly the South East, sit on the same free-draining chalky soil that allows sparkling wine grapes to thrive. Were you aware that several French Wineries like Tattinger's have shifted their vineyards and production to areas in England?

Lerkakasa was established by Joar Sættem and Wenche Hvattum in 2007. They planted the first grapes in the spring of 2008, and have each year since expanded the vineyard by giving new plants the ability to burst into life and produce us the finest grapes. In November 2018 Odd Eugen Wollberg and Lill Gjestad Wollberg Bougth and took over the vineyard. Lerkakåsa Vineyard is located in Gvarv. The soil in the area is rich in minerals from the melted water of the glaciers at Hardangervidda. The beautiful landscape around Norsjø was created through the melting of the glaciers from the interglacial period some hundred thousand years ago. This makes the soil profile, in which they grow grapes, very fertile. Located in a small valley in close connection to the lake of Norsjø makes a great climate for producing a great variety of fruit. Gvarv is today well known for producing some of the finest apples, plums cherries and grapes. With the ever-present change of temperatures and climate, we believe there is an excellent future that lies ahead for the production of great Nordic wines. Have you ever had a glass of wine produced in Norway?

Olympus, the highest peak in Greece, is located east of Pindos and close to the sea. On its slopes stretches the beautiful vineyard of Rapsani. Consequently, a great majority of the Greek vineyards are found on the slopes of the hills and the mountains. These mountains, provide high elevations that escape much of the summer heat and a sheer number of different altitudes, aspects and soils suitable for grape-growing. In many cases altitude is more important than latitude. A typical example of the above is the vineyard of PDO Mantinia (ΠΟΠ Μαντινεία) which rests in the heart of Peloponnese. Although the location is southern, the vineyard plateau is located at an altitude of 660m, above sea-level. As a result, Moschofilero grape is capable of producing low in alcohol and full of freshness wines that are close in terms of style to a central European wine than a Mediterranean one. They are using grape varieties that do not require as much water due to drought conditions. The recent extreme heat and wildfires have destroyed acres of vineyards. Have you had a drink of Greek Wine?