France, Italy and Spain produce some of the best wines in the world. Unfortunately, these are the countries most affected by the effects of climate change. Extreme temperatures can damage or even destroy vineyards.
Droughts can also cause stress on plants, leading to poor harvests. Water shortages across Europe in 2023 have led to a significant drop in crop yields. Some countries have been more affected than others. Italy, for example, is experiencing an almost permanent drought this year. This is causing big problems for Italian wine producers.
Angelo Bonelli (as a representative of the Europa Verde political party) said: "The climate crisis is not an ideological issue, but a reality that is being felt in Sicily" during a rally in front of the government headquarters in Rome, held in July. “ The lack of water is forcing farmers to uproot vineyards and citrus groves. They are also slaughtering livestock. "It's a catastrophic situation."
Spain also reported a drought in April, well before summer began, and implemented an emergency water-saving plan. France was forced to create a 53-point plan to save water in all areas of its economy. Whether or not these plans will be enough to save their respective countries' wine industries remains to be seen. Are we witnessing the end of Central European wine dominance and the beginning of Northern European wine dominance?
The wine industry is changing.
FoodNavigator recently published a report on this topic. English wine is gaining popularityEmerging markets around the world. Will future generations recognize these wine-producing countries? That’s what it’s starting to look like as decades-old Central European winemakers struggle with changing weather conditions.
FoodNavigator reported that climate change is having a significant impact on the wine industry in Europe. James Simmonds is a partner at UHY Hacker Young. Some European vineyards are experiencing milder winters, with sudden cold snaps killing young grapes, and hotter summers that are detrimental to grape quality.
Wine industry players are also expressing their concerns.
FoodNavigator reported that extreme weather events such as fires, floods and droughts are putting pressure on some of the oldest and warmest areas where wine is produced. Dr Alistair Nesbitt of winemaking consultancy Vinescapes said this.
The temperate climate of northern Europe, on the other hand, allows wine regions to benefit from rising temperatures.
Simmonds, of UHY Hacker Young, says the rising temperatures have provided a more suitable climate for grapes to fully develop. This will ensure a better harvest.
This change is not limited to British wine.
In the northern hemisphere, there is a significant increase in regions such as Canada, China and the Finger Lakes region of the United States. “Climate change and particularly warming growing seasons, combined with different and even new grape varieties, are transforming areas that were previously not viticultural,” says Dr Nesbitt.
How can existing winegrowers be protected?
The industry must act quickly to protect Europe's long-established winemakers. What can be done to safeguard the future of this industry?
According to Dr Nesbitt, adopting regenerative techniques in viticulture is one way winemakers can help mitigate climate change while building resilience. Regenerative viticulture is a direct way to improve soil health and sequester carbon in vineyards. All wineries should be doing this to protect both the industry and the environment.
This might not be enough.
The extremes that we are seeing and will continue to see are detrimental to the quality of grapes and wines.
Everyone must play their part in protecting the environment, as they do with everything related to climate change.
The projections are devastating and if temperatures continue to rise, the centuries-old wine industry will become unsustainable.
Wine producers are increasingly aware of the threat. This has led to an increase in sustainability initiatives, including regenerative viticulture.
According to Dr Nesbitt, “the market and producers want the best possible wine and they also want to protect the land.”
How can we protect the future of wine production?
It is clearer than ever that we need to take action to build more resilient production systems to safeguard food and beverage production. The World Economic Forum has outlined a range of measures that countries can take to combat climate change and mitigate its impacts on the food and beverage industry.
- Investing in resilient farming practices such as irrigation and drought-tolerant crops is a good way to increase the resilience of your farm.
- Diversify your production to ensure you are not reliant on just one or two staple crops.
- Reducing waste is the best way to maximize what you produce.
- Encourage policies to promote food and beverage safety, including subsidies to food banks and farmers.
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