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Take the challengeGrapes are ripening a month earlier, and the search for varieties capable of handling hotter weather is on!
Climate is one of the key controlling factors in grape and wine production. Thus certain grapes suit particular regions and determine the type and quality of the wine produced. A climate-soil-variety equilibrium must be maintained, but climate change is creating havoc.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, French champagne houses are buying property in Britain where it's colder. Sweden have a fast emerging wine industry as a result of longer, warmer summers.
And on our shores, warmer weather is developing the Tasmanian industry, forcing mainland producers to invest in the island's cooler climate. Those with family ties and ownership in mainland vineyards are researching grape varieties that might be able to handle more extreme weather events, such as farming differently and trying to lower soil temperatures a degree or two.
The Wine Grape Council of South Australia grower's panel said,
"Harvest dates across the industry are circa 30 days earlier than they were 20-30 years ago. This means that grapes are ripening quicker and in warmer months and this impacts negatively on flavour development. It also creates problems for wineries – whereas white grapes used to ripen after the red grape harvest they often now ripen at the same time impacting on winery logistics. As the climate changes these problems will only get worse."
Warming is not the only issue, the cold is effecting the ripening of grapes as well. Anthony Scholz of multi-generational Barossa farming stock copped a frost that wiped out their entire crop.
Anything but the wine please!
But this relates perfectly to a quote by Margaret Atwood,
[Header Image via Bushranger Wines]
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