Climate change will leave wine lovers drunker and poorer

WINE TALK
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Some interesting graphics in this article…

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No such thing as climate change.

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The first graphic is labeled “Observed growing season average temperature anomalies in leading wine regions” and then shows graphs for temperatures between 1999 and 2049. [scratch.gif]

I stopped reading at that point.

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Good times coming for Canadian wine makers. (If, and only if, they change the restrictive legal and trade barriers)

P Hickner

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It is amusing that (simulated?) data in the future is presented as observed. That glaring issue aside, the worldwide situation is not that dire even if climate change follows their projection.

The only real problem concerns the traditional wine-growing powers like Burgundy and Bordeaux. They won’t be able to produce varieties historically associated with the region. But they could graft over to warmer climate varieties if willing to be proactive. The southern Rhone is out of luck, I suppose, and will become the equivalent of Algeria. Napa may also be doomed to become like Fresno (though there is some indication a hot CA central valley will increase cooling in regions influenced by the Pacific ocean and SF bay).

But elsewhere there are opportunities. Truly marginal climates like Champagne, the Loire, and Lombardy in the future could well produce still wines vintage over vintage that rival current Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Piedmont, respectively. And as far planting new vineyards in colder areas, the cost of land and labor is likely more important than the physical act of planting the vineyard. Chile is filled with newer plantings, yet for the most part the mid-range wines are much cheaper than peers in CA and France.

We’re really only looking at regions that are marginally on the hot side right now losing out completely. As long as most regions are willing to evolve style and variety, there will be options. Customers who buy on tradition and name will be troubled by this. But those who are open to Icelandic sparkling wine and Bordeaux Grenache will do well.

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Greg assuming climate change exists, Napa is on the outer fringes.

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If it is simulated data which is what I assume as well, then it is highly dependent on the model parameters and assumptions which are not discussed and are presented as fact. Anyone who has developed simulations knows that a single parameter can change the outcome in unexpected ways.

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You know what they always say … “you can’t be too drunk, poor or fat.” Or something to that effect?

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Which is why we are cellaring wine now.

Time to get a bigger locker.