Climate change is leaving an indelible mark on the wine industry. Soaring temperatures, severe droughts and rampant wildfires are posing unprecedented threats to vines around the world. Faced with these challenges, producers are working to adjust harvest plans and leverage technology to offset these impacts.
Climate change and sensory changes
According to the Center for Advanced Scientific Research (CSIC) and the Platform for Technology in Wine (PTV), climate change is significantly changing the sensory characteristics of wine, affecting taste, colour, aroma and even alcohol content. An increase in the number of hot days and frequent heat waves results in higher sugar concentrations in grapes. This results in wines with increased alcohol content and clear sensory characteristics, characterized by diminished fruity aromas and a distinctly aggressive mouthfeel.
Interruption of grape ripening process
One of the technical reasons behind these changes is the decoupling between technical maturity (brix) and phenolic maturity (aromatic maturity). Additionally, the reduced temperature difference between day and night affects anthocyanins, the compounds responsible for the color of wine. Increased solar radiation can also reduce the acidity of wine and disrupt the sensory balance.
stay typical
Despite these challenges, experts are convinced that the sensory changes will not be too significant and that technology plays a vital role in maintaining the typical characteristics of the wine. New grape varieties that are better adapted to climate change are being explored, and techniques to reduce the alcohol content of wine are being implemented. The challenge for producers is to minimize the impact on the character of their wines and retain the typicality of the region.
Ecological impact of wine production
The wine industry’s ecological footprint is huge and includes carbon emissions, water use, pesticide use, deforestation and waste generation. The process also leads to soil and water contamination due to the use of pesticides and fertilizers. Additionally, excessive water use for vineyard irrigation can deplete local water resources. The industry needs to adopt sustainable practices to mitigate these impacts and protect the natural environment.
