The effects of climate change have created a complex set of challenges for winemaking, perhaps more severe than any the industry has faced before.
While each region has unique adaptations and advantages, the delicate balance between tradition and the natural environment is being tested. For many winemakers, especially within Europe, climate change presents a considerable dilemma, impacting more than 1,000 protected designations of origin. These designations are essential to European viticulture, reflecting not just geographical origin but centuries-old traditions that define and protect the distinctiveness of wine styles. In countries like Italy, with 35% of European Union DOC (Denomination of Controlled Origin) and DOCG (Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin) wines, and France at 31%, the stakes are especially high.
A recent study led by the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and Eurac Research in Bolzano, published in Nature Communications, mapped these protected European wine regions' vulnerabilities in response to climate shifts. This is the first in-depth mapping of its kind, integrating climate scenarios with each region's specific socio-economic and regulatory context, providing a more nuanced look into how winemaking traditions might respond or falter under the stress of changing conditions.
The Designation Dilemma
Wine designations, or appellations, define specific production methods, varietal compositions, and even microclimate suitability for particular regions. These designations encapsulate centuries of tradition, enshrining the concept of terroir — the unique influence of geography, climate, and culture on a wine’s character. However, with shifting temperature ranges and evolving weather patterns, traditional terroir attributes risk destabilization. Southern European regions are especially vulnerable, already approaching the upper limits of their climate tolerance for many traditional varieties. For example, traditional varietals tied to historical climate conditions are increasingly facing unsuitable temperature ranges, compelling vintners to reassess traditional practices or face diminished yields and quality.
Regions with a strong oceanic influence, such as parts of Portugal and the Canary Islands, or those at higher latitudes, like Belgium and the Netherlands, are expected to experience milder climate impacts. However, wine regions in Romania, Croatia, Bulgaria, Italy, and Hungary are more likely to undergo significant changes, potentially compromising their traditional production methods.
Adaptive Capacity and Vulnerability
To evaluate adaptability, researchers considered 15 indicators, including financial strength, human resources, local population demographics, and natural characteristics like elevation or soil type, which could influence resilience. Regions are divided into various vulnerability categories, with 5% of European wine regions projected to face the greatest challenges. Among these highly vulnerable areas are Italy’s Trebbiano d'Abruzzo and Lambrusco Mantovano, as well as Spain's Sierra de Salamanca. In addition to the imminent impact of climate, limited resources for adaptive responses compound these regions’ vulnerability, highlighting the urgency of developing strategies to preserve their winemaking heritage.
Another 25% of regions, though less vulnerable than the most at-risk areas, still face significant risks. These include France’s Côtes de Provence, Portugal’s Alentejo, Spain’s Rioja, and Italy’s Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco. However, some northern regions like France’s Alsace and Germany’s Rheinhessen benefit from moderate climates and more robust financial means to adapt, such as by cultivating at higher elevations or investing in technological advancements. The remaining 70% of wine regions, which experience moderate to low risk, have more stable conditions and the economic capacity to navigate minor adaptations.
Innovations and Adaptation Strategies
For winemakers and wine-growing regions, adapting to climate change often means a delicate balance between innovation and maintaining tradition. Some regions are experimenting with planting at higher altitudes, where cooler climates can mitigate rising temperatures. Others are exploring new vineyard techniques, such as varied pruning methods or even the introduction of irrigation systems to sustain vines through dry spells.
In certain cases, however, these measures are not enough, and modifications to long-standing wine production regulations are necessary. A notable example is Bordeaux, where recently introduced rules now permit the use of heat-tolerant grape varieties like Portugal’s Touriga Nacional. This rule adjustment serves as an experimental safeguard against escalating temperatures while potentially preserving the region’s wine identity. According to Sebastian Candiago, who contributed to the study, "Flexibility and foresight will be needed," stressing the importance of strategic, long-term planning.
The Road Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
The outlook for Europe’s wine regions is one of transformation and resilience. As researchers map the complex network of risks and potential adaptations, they are helping regions understand the possible impacts and chart a course for maintaining their economic, cultural, and environmental contributions. The challenge, as the study reveals, is more than a scientific puzzle—it’s a call for the wine industry, policymakers, and communities to collaborate. As Candiago explains, it is about ensuring that each wine region continues to “provide economic, environmental, cultural, and identity value” amid inevitable shifts in climate.
While climate change presents a formidable challenge, it also offers an opportunity for innovation in the winemaking world. Whether through shifts in grape varietals, new vineyard technologies, or regulatory flexibility, Europe's winemakers are at the forefront of crafting climate-resilient wines. By carefully balancing tradition with adaptation, the industry may not only preserve its heritage but also enhance its resilience, setting a precedent for agriculture worldwide.
Source: WineNews