Pinot Noir (Pinot Noir) is one of the most cultivated blue vine varieties in Europe. The announced wines of this variety come from Burgundy and our southern neighbors. But the sought -after taste of these wines is changing. And this change will be permanent. The reason is climate change. This is claimed by scientists from Canada.
Experts of the University of British Columbia warn that Just in France, Spain and Italy, the most significant increase in high temperatures during the growing season A and terribles are formed other aromatic substances. The result may be that wines will be sweeter, more intense and higher alcohol content.
A team of experts examined vine phenology, ie such as the individual phases of growth and reproduction of plants affected by climatic conditions during the year. They used data from more than five hundred vine varieties from around the world and analyzed ten different climate indicators, including the lowest temperatures during vegetation peaceextreme heat in the period of growth and temperature and precipitation during harvesting.
The analysis shows that Europe has experienced the largest climate shift since the 70’s, With the most significant increase in the number of days with temperatures above 35 ° C and the highest temperatures during the growing season. Suitable areas for wine cultivation are moved towards the poles for warming. Traditional wine -growing areas now produce grapes that ripen faster and has a higher sugar content, which significantly changes the taste of wine.
Higher sugar levels means sweeter wine and higher alcohol content, as sugar turns into alcohol during fermentation. Warmer climate also reduces the acidity of the wine, which makes the wine look less fresh and loses its characteristic liveliness.
Another consequence of high temperatures is the decomposition of the dyes of the anthocyans, which give the wine red and purple color. Also tannins that affect the structure and feeling of wine in the mouththey do not have to develop sufficiently if the grapes are harvested earlier to reduce high sugar levels.
“Extreme heat indicators in the regions of western and southern Europe and Eastern Europe show the largest growth and suggest a new world for European viticulturethat has little to do with what it looked like forty to fifty years ago. The northern geographical location of Europe makes it more susceptible to more extreme warming, as the northern widths are most heated. Our analyzes show that Europe has experienced the most significant shift in summer temperatures – with days above 35 ° C and maximum temperatures, which are now mostly out of the range recorded before the onset of significant warming. The consequences of this new, warmer climate include lower yields of grapes, damage to fruits and vegetation due to heat and wine -growing industry, which must be adapted quickly, ”says scientists in the PLAMATE professional journal.
