Posted on 07/16/2007 9:50:03 PM PDT by Michael.SF.
Creating wine is all about getting the balance right.
You have to find the best location, with good soil, the right range of temperature, and rain at certain times of year. You must plant the right grapes.
And then you must get lucky with the weather.
So it is no wonder that winemakers are especially aware of the issue of climate change.
Some studies have suggested that the wine map could be changed completely if global warming proceeds apace over the coming decades.
In North America's most renowned wine-growing region, Napa Valley in California, current conditions are near-perfect.
"You have the climate, you have ideal soils and a history of winemaking that goes back to the turn of last century. It's a combination of those things that makes Napa Valley unique," says Jeff Virnig, winemaker at Robert Sinskey Vineyards.
A subtle variation of temperatures and conditions in different places means "you can pretty much grow any grape variety here in this valley".
Alarmed
Some scientists say global warming could turn that all on its head.
The effects on cooler regions, however, might be beneficial, at least initially.
In Bordeaux, for instance, recent vintages have been acclaimed, following a succession of warm summers that have allowed it to ripen its grapes more consistently than before.
The US study suggested that climate change could make viticulture much more successful in northern parts of Europe, at the expense of Spain, Italy and the south of France.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
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