Winederland Ep.7: The Impact of Climate Change on Global Wine Production

Welcome to another exciting episode of Winderland! Today, Giuseppe surprises us with a special weekend episode, Episode 7, where he delves into a pressing issue that is transforming the world of wine - the impact of global warming on wine production.

Climate change is significantly affecting grape yield, composition, and wine quality, resulting in a shift in the geography of wine production. In this episode, Giuseppe explores the consequences of changing temperature, precipitation, humidity, radiation, and CO2 levels on global wine production. He discusses how current wine-growing regions, primarily located at mid-latitudes like California, South France, northern Spain and Italy, Barossa in Australia, Stellenbosch in South Africa, and Mendoza in Argentina, are being impacted.

Giuseppe also highlights the potential for new wine-growing regions to emerge in areas previously unsuitable for viticulture, such as northern France, Washington and Oregon in the United States, British Columbia in Canada, and Tasmania in Australia. Additionally, regions like Belgium, the Netherlands, and Denmark could become new hotspots for wine production.

The episode goes on to cover key points such as the necessity for growers to adapt to changing conditions, the emergence of new wine-growing regions, and the environmental challenges posed by expanding into natural areas. Giuseppe explains how higher temperatures are advancing the phenology of grapevines, leading to earlier harvests and changes in grape composition, which in turn affects wine quality and style.

Giuseppe discusses effective adaptation strategies, including changing plant material and cultivation techniques, using drought-resistant grape varieties, and adopting management methods that preserve soil water. He also emphasizes the importance of local conditions in determining the viability of these strategies and how they can ensure the economic sustainability of wine production.

The episode concludes with a discussion on the heightened threat that climate change poses to traditional vineyards and the critical 2°C limit, beyond which major changes in wine production will be necessary. Giuseppe leaves us with a sense of amazement at the resilience of nature and a curiosity for what the future holds for the world of wine.

Don't miss this intriguing and informative episode of Winderland. Follow Giuseppe on this journey to discover the challenges and opportunities that climate change brings to the world of wine. Ciao!