And how it effects wine quality and production?
I have been wanting to write about this subject for a while. Some people don’t want to accept that climate change exists while others prefer not to deal with it since accepting it will have some consequences on our style of life. I think that it is time for us to come to the realization that we have no other choice but accept it and take the measures required to stop it or at least to slow it down.
In California the average “growing season” temperature has risen by 2.9 degrees F since 1970. This increase in the average daily temperature, in our region, has the effect of delaying the ripening process. In other regions, with lower average daily temperatures, the ripening process may be accelerated. It is possible that this delay is going to prevent the grapes from achieving full ripeness within the growing season, which will have a profound effect on the quality of the wine. You probably heard me talk about our region with pride, saying that wines that come from the Sierra Foothills are for the most part fruitier and softer. This is assuming that the grapes achieve a full level of ripeness at harvest. If the grapes are not fully ripe, our wines will be less fruity with harsher tannins.
Other climate change threats to wine production are shorter and milder winters, like the one we are experiencing this year. This is resulting in continued draught conditions which we have had for the past 3 years. It also creates conditions for wildfires with exposure of the grapes to heavy smoke. This unpredictable weather can change without notice bringing heavy precipitation and unexpected spring frosts that can be devastating to our vineyards.
All in all, land suitability for wine production will decline as climate change takes a stronger hold on the world. Dry farming may become a thing of the past. The availability of water for irrigated crops will decline, especially in California where we depend on snowmelt in the spring to fill our reservoirs. Another region which might be severely affected due to the lack of snowmelt are the wine-producing regions of Chile.
On the other hand, some regions that at this time are considered too cold for wine grape production will become more suitable as global temperatures rise. In eastern Washington, the Columbia River is becoming a prime location for vineyards. So is the Snake River Valley in Idaho, and the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia.
We must realize that the US is not the only country in the world that is generating the conditions that are causing the climate change. Many other countries, big and small are contributing their share into this drama, which in part is politically motivated. Is there anything else that can be done other than a decarbonized future achieving a net zero in carbon omissions?
All I can think of is to develop genetically modified clones of our favorite varieties that won’t mind the harsher weather conditions or the lack of water during the growing season. They won’t mind average temperatures of 90 degrees or a total amount of water less than 10 gallons from bud-break to full ripeness. Can this become a reality or is this a dream? Enough for today!
Chaim,
March, 2022