Authors
Cornelis van Leeuwen, Giovanni Sgubin, Benjamin Bois, Nathalie Ollat, Didier Swingedouw, Sébastien Zito and Gregory A. Gambetta
Contact
Cornelis (Kees) van Leeuwen
©INRAE_Laurent_Guichardon
Context
Vine-growing is highly dependent on the climate: climate change is having an impact on grape yields and composition, as well as on wine quality, with consequences for the geography of wine production around the world.
To produce quality wine, the grapes must reach maturity, otherwise the wine produced is low in alcohol, acidic and vegetal. But at the same time, the grapes must not reach full ripeness in very hot weather, as in this case the grapes risk being too sweet (and the wines too alcoholic), not acidic enough (the wines may lack freshness) and with an aromatic palette dominated by cooked fruit.
Article summary
A literature review to be published in March in the journal Nature Reviews Earth and Environment examines the consequences of changes in temperature, rainfall, humidity, radiation and CO2 levels on vine growing. Adaptation strategies are also explored.
Today’s wine-growing regions are mainly located at mid-latitudes (California, USA; southern France; northern Spain and Italy; Barossa, Australia; Stellenbosch, South Africa; Mendoza, Argentina; among others) where the climate is sufficiently warm, but not excessively so, to allow the grapes to ripen, and relatively dry to limit the pressure of disease. Climate change will alter the geography of wine-growing regions. The survival of around 90% of traditional coastal and lowland wine-growing regions in Spain, Italy, Greece and southern California is threatened by the end of the century due to the risk of excessive drought and more frequent heat waves. Higher temperatures could improve the suitability of other regions (Washington State, Oregon, Tasmania, northern France) and lead to the emergence of new wine-growing regions, such as the south of the UK. The extent of these changes in aptitude depends very much on the intensity of the increase in temperature. Current producers can adapt to a certain level of warming by modifying plant material (varieties and rootstocks), management systems and cultivation practices. However, these adaptations may not be enough to maintain economically viable wine production in all regions. It is now vital to conduct research to assess the economic impact of large-scale climate change adaptation strategies.
Publisher's summary
Wine grapes are highly sensitive to climate change, particularly extreme temperatures and droughts. This study analyses changes in the geography of existing and emerging wine-growing regions around the world, and proposes measures for adapting to rising temperatures and drought, as well as to the pressure exerted by pests and diseases.