Wine and climate change: What would future wines taste like?

• Author:
• Author name

  Quantumrun Foresight
• November 22, 2021

Climate change is reshaping the global wine industry, with rising temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns threatening traditional vineyards. However, these challenges are also driving innovation, with winegrowers exploring resilient grape varieties and new regions for viticulture. Balancing these changes with environmental concerns and economic shifts may be crucial for the industry's future.

Wine and climate change context

As the mercury rises during the summer months and unpredictable weather patterns become increasingly common, vineyards worldwide are feeling the impact. Bordeaux, a region in France renowned as a global hub for wine production, is grappling with a serious predicament. The region's most celebrated grape variety, Merlot, is under threat of disappearing entirely. The primary culprits are escalating temperatures and prolonged periods of drought, which have led to the grapes maturing prematurely and generating an excess of sugar relative to alcohol.

This scenario is not unique to Bordeaux but is indicative of the challenges confronting winegrowers globally. While there are some advantages to warmer climates, such as the potential for more robust and flavorful base wines, these benefits are overshadowed by the negative consequences. These challenges include crops damaged by excessive sunlight, extended periods of frost during the winter, and the encroachment of rising sea levels leading to flooding. From the vineyards of California's Napa Valley to the northern regions of Germany, winegrowers are feeling the effects of these climatic shifts.

In response to these challenges, winegrowers are exploring various strategies to adapt and mitigate the impacts of climate change. One such approach involves studying different grape species that are more resilient to these changing conditions. The goal is to identify varieties that can thrive despite the warmer temperatures, irregular weather patterns, and other environmental stressors.

Disruptive impact

The shifting climate patterns are presenting a mixed bag of opportunities and challenges for the global wine industry. On the positive side, warmer temperatures are making viticulture viable in regions that were previously unsuitable for wine production. For instance, places like the island of Föhr and Stargarder Land in Germany, Finland, and England are now able to participate in the wine industry. However, increased humidity and rainfall are fostering the growth of pests, fungi, and mildew, which pose significant threats to existing vineyards.

In order to safeguard the future of viticulture, experts suggest that changes in legislation are necessary. Certain regions in Europe, for example, have laws prohibiting the importation and cultivation of grape varieties that are not native to the area. This kind of regulation can limit the ability of winegrowers to adapt to changing conditions. However, there are signs of progress. In 2019, winemakers in Bordeaux made a significant decision during a general assembly to plant seven grape varieties not originally found in the region, a move aimed at enhancing resilience.

The European Union (EU)'s Wine Policy is another example of regulatory efforts to sustain the viticulture industry. This policy seeks to foster innovation and provide support to farmers, which are crucial steps in addressing the challenges posed by climate change. By encouraging new approaches and offering assistance to those most affected, such policies can help ensure the continued production of wine.

Implications of wine and climate change

Wider implications of wine and climate change may include:

• More plantation swaps as winegrowers continue to test the suitability of different grape species in different growing regions.


• More plantations up in mountainous areas to avoid heavy floods.


• The use of laboratories or indoor plantations to grow grapes that could not survive in hot weather.


• Research results and knowledge gained from winegrowers being applied to other farming niches.


• A shift in the global wine map, with traditionally colder regions becoming new hubs for viticulture, leading to a redistribution of economic power and influence within the industry.


• The need for more resilient grape varieties driving advancements in agricultural technology and practices, leading to the creation of new jobs and skills in the sector.


• The increased prevalence of pests and diseases due to rising humidity requiring greater use of pesticides.


• The potential for wine production in new regions resulting in demographic shifts as people move to these areas for employment opportunities in the expanding industry.


• The changing conditions in traditional wine regions leading to a decrease in the production of certain types of wine, potentially leading to higher prices and impacting consumer behavior.

Questions to consider

• Have you noticed any significant flavor or color changes in your favorite wines over the years?


• How else do you think wine production might be affected by climate change?