Wine and global warming

In March of this year the first-ever conference on Global Warming and Wine was held in Barcelona.

The findings presented make for eye-opening reading:

• · In the next 50 to 100 years, temperatures will rise by 2 to 6 degrees C;
• · Some regions may become too hot and arid for grape cultivation;
• · Grape growing regions will expand in mountainous regions of the Southern hemisphere;
• · Speaking on the effect on local production in Catalunya (NE Spain), Dr. Xavier Sort of Bodegas Torres stated that "viticulture will be unviable in most of the traditional Catalonian wine regions within the next 40 to 70 years";
• · Grapes may become susceptible to new pests and diseases;
• · Red wines in general may decrease in color intensity and increase in alcohol content;
• · Increased used of grape varieties better suited to extreme weather could be seen, such as the red varieties of Petit Verdot, Graciano and Durif, and the white wine grapes of Vermentino, Viognier and Verdejo.

Mr. Pancho Campo, president of the conference host, The Wine Academy of Spain, pronounced the event a success, with attendance by 148 wine sector professionals and 40 journalists. The Wine Academy plans to repeat the event again in 2008.