Climate change is coming for your favorite WINE: 90% of wine-growing regions in Spain, Italy, Greece and Southern California could lose their ability to grow grapes by 2100, study warns

Some of the world’s most celebrated wine-growing regions could become unsuitable for vineyards if global temperatures rise above 2°C by the end of the century, according to a new analysis.

But the warming climate will boost Britain’s wine-growing efforts, the study said, as well as other emerging wine-growing regions such as Washington state and Tasmania.

Currently, the world’s major wine-growing regions are mainly located in temperate latitudes, such as California, southern France, northern Spain and Italy.

Other areas the sommelier is happy with are Stellenbosch, South Africa and Mendoza in Argentina.

These areas are just right for wine – where the climate is warm enough to ripen grapes, but without excessive heat, and relatively dry to avoid strong disease pressure.

But global warming will deliver a devastating blow to these vineyards.

The report states that ‘about 90 percent of traditional wine regions in coastal and lowland areas of Spain, Italy, Greece and Southern California are at risk of disappearing by the end of the century due to excessive drought and more frequent heat waves due to climate change . ‘

The model suggests that this could happen with global warming of 3.6°F (2°C) by the end of the century, which the authors say is currently a very likely scenario given current trends in greenhouse gas emissions greenhouse gases.

Between 49 and 70 percent of these existing wine regions will become largely unsuitable for grape growing, the authors say.

But 29 percent will “experience extreme climate conditions,” such as increased heat waves and excessive drought, making them inhospitable areas for winemaking.

The impact on viticulture will also have a huge economic impact: grapes are the world’s third most valuable horticultural crop, after potatoes and tomatoes, representing a farm value of $68 billion in 2016.

Climate change can affect wine quality by changing the aroma profile – with more aromas of overripe and cooked fruit replacing the aromas of fresh fruit – and causing excessive alcohol levels and increased pH

The geography of wine production is likely to change as climate change impacts grape yield, grape composition at harvest and wine quality.

While many existing areas will be severely affected, Europe’s changing climate is predicted to “significantly exceed losses” in terms of area suitable for grapes, the study said.

However, growth in wine production in areas where it has not previously occurred could put pressure on both water resources and wild habitats, the report said.

The area in Europe that can grow wine is expected to increase by around 40 percent by the end of the century, said the report, which also noted that the area in Britain that can grow wine will already increase by about 40 percent between 2000 and 2010. 400 percent has increased. 2004 and 2021.

The authors, led by Cornelis van Leeuwen of the Bordeaux Sciences Agro research institute and colleagues, published their research in Nature reviews Earth and environment.

Some existing wine-growing regions will see a boost from warmer weather: According to the report, between 11 and 25 percent of existing wine regions can look forward to increased production – particularly in Washington state and northern France.

This image from the study shows the expected changes in phenology, yield and wine quality in response to higher temperatures and possible adjustments.

The survival of 41 percent of existing wine regions will depend on adapting to increased heat and reduced rainfall, the researchers said.

Adaptation requires changing grape varieties and rootstocks, and managing vineyards differently.

But the authors warn that “these adjustments may not be sufficient to maintain economically viable wine production in all areas.”