Climate Change is Reshaping Wine Regions Worldwide, With Uneven Effects

A new study by E.M. Wolkovich of the University of British Columbia, published in PLOS Climate, reports that climate change has affected wine-growing regions worldwide, though the extent and timing of these impacts vary throughout the growing season.

Climate Change Reshapes Global Wine Production Patterns

Winegrapes, a key perennial crop, have been significantly influenced by climate change. Research indicates that rising temperatures are pushing suitable wine-growing areas toward the poles, while traditional regions are now producing grapes that ripen more quickly and contain higher sugar levels—changes that affect wine flavor. However, until now, no study has taken a global, comparative approach to understanding how climate change is impacting wine regions around the world.

In this new study, researchers examined grapevine phenology—the timing of growth and reproductive stages in response to environmental factors. They analyzed data from over 500 grape varieties, considering 10 climate indicators, including minimum temperatures during dormancy and budburst, heat extremes during the growing season, and weather conditions during harvest.

Regional Differences Complicate Climate Adaptation for Winegrowers

Their findings revealed that climate change is affecting each wine-growing region in distinct ways, making it challenging for growers to adopt uniform adaptation strategies. Europe experienced the most dramatic changes, such as a rise in the number of days exceeding 95°F and higher peak temperatures during the growing season. In contrast, North America showed more moderate increases in average and extreme temperatures.

The researchers conclude that broad global analyses like this one can enhance regional studies by offering valuable insights into which areas are experiencing the most rapid climate-driven changes and which are producing grapes under the most extreme conditions. To effectively respond to climate change, the global wine industry must grapple with these complex and region-specific shifts that also vary across the growing season.

Global Collaboration and Decades of Data Drive Landmark Study

Dr. Wolkovich explains that the study was a significant interdisciplinary and international collaboration, bringing together experts in climatology, crop modeling, macroecology, and wine grape genetics from France, Spain, the U.S., and Canada. It also depended heavily on long-term data, particularly from the INRAE experimental unit Domaine de Vassal, which has compiled decades of winegrape records.

She expressed surprise at the extent of global warming, particularly in Europe, where the data clearly show how much the growing season has been affected by human-induced climate change. Having visited Europe for over 15 years, she noted that while she had experienced more frequent heatwaves firsthand, the data revealed a level of warming—and challenges for grape growers—that exceeded her expectations.

Dr. Wolkovich also found it unexpected that the most significant changes were in extreme heat and total heat accumulation. While climate change is often associated with rising minimum temperatures, she anticipated the greatest shifts would occur in colder metrics, such as those around budburst and harvest. Instead, it was the higher temperature indicators that showed the most dramatic change.

Read the original article on: Phys Org

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