![Tempranillo (also known as Ull de Llebre, Cencibel, Tinto del Pais and several other synonyms) is a black grape variety widely grown to make full-bodied red wines in its native Spain.[1] Its name is the diminutive of the Spanish temprano ("early"),[1] a reference to the fact that it ripens several weeks earlier than most Spanish red grapes.](http://wattsupwiththat.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/tempranillocluster-1.jpg?quality=83)
Climate change is set to affect the quality of the wines of the Tempranillo grape variety, according to the conclusions of a piece of research conducted by the Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development Neiker-Tecnalia, in collaboration with the University of Navarre and the Aula Dei (EEAD) Experimental Station of the National Council for Scientific Research (CSIC). Scientists from these bodies have studied the behaviour of the vines in conditions of climate change; in other words, higher temperature, increased presence of CO2 and greater environmental aridity.
The result is a must with a lower anthocyanin content, which leads to wines with less colour and therefore lower quality. The results of the research, led by the agricultural engineer Urtzi Leibar, have been presented at the conference of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), held in Vienna (Austria).
The research has been conducted in a greenhouse environment with vines of the species ‘Vitis vinifera cv. Tempranillo’. The three factors studied were climate change, water stress of the plant and soil texture. To analyse the effect of climate change on the grapes, some vines were placed in conditions of a greater presence of CO2, higher temperature and lower relative humidity, while other vines were situated in current climate conditions.
In addition to the CO2 and temperature changes, climate change is expected to cause a reduction in rainfall, with this rainfall being distributed across more extreme events. That is why the researchers subjected the vines to two different treatments. One with properly hydrated plants (20-35% of water content in the soil) and the other treatment consisted of plants subjected to water stress, and which were irrigated with 40% less water. As regards the soil, three different textures were studied with clay contents of 9%, 18% and 36%.
Among the most significant results as regards production and qualitative parameters, climate change was found to bring forward the grape harvest by nine days. This reduced the anthocyanin concentration, which resulted in red wines with less colour. It also caused an increase in the pH of the must. The pH level is a factor of interest for wineries, since it has to be low if the wines are going to be preserved optimally.
The water shortfall, for its part, delayed ripening –the grape harvest was carried out ten days later– and the growth of the vine was reduced. This fact also meant an increase in the pH of the must and a reduction in polyphenol content. Polyphenols are found in grape skin and pips and give wines aroma, colour and taste. As regards soils, the sandiest ones –with the lowest clay content– produced musts with a higher anthocyanin level, which yields wines with more colour.
Information of interest for the wine growing sector
The final aim of the study by Neiker-Tecnalia, the University of Navarre and the EEAD-CSIC is to make available information that will assist the wine growing sector in mitigating possible damage by the anticipated climate conditions or, where appropriate, to take advantage of the opportunities that may present themselves.
The climate is the factor that exerts the greatest influence on the suitability of a region for vine growing and wine production, since it directly affects the development of the vineyard and grape quality. Climate change is therefore an aspect that the sector needs to take very much into consideration.
The vineyard surface area across Spain amounts to 954,000 hectares, which is 5.6% of the total cultivated surface. The wine growing sector is an hugely important activity in terms of the economic value it generates, the population it employs and the role it plays in environmental conservation.
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Note: Despite the claim, the grape has been planted throughout the globe in places with diverse climates such as Mexico, New Zealand, California, Oregon, Washington State, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, Portugal, Uruguay, Turkey and Canada.
It grows best at relatively high altitudes, but it also can tolerate a much warmer climate according to: researcher Sid Perkins “Global Vineyard. Can technology take on a warming climate?”. Science News http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-118376057.html (29 May 2004).
– Anthony
Ok, this is utter garbage. From my experience, wine makers prefer arid climates anyway. That way, they can control the amount of water and timing of water the vines receive. Not to mention that CO2 is good for plante. This was strictly a “study” that was spacificaly designed to produce the disired results.
The average daily temperature in the Burgundy region of France runs from 30 F in winter to 76 F in summer. In Napa valley, the averages run from 38F to 93 F, considerably hotter than Burgundy. I thought the Napa wines were quite good, often better than many French wines, but I guess not. Because the temperature is higher, they couldn’t be, could they?
Who cares? Now, if barley and hops are affected, then we have a real problem on our hands.
In the grand book of kow tow list of damage claims sector by sector and group by group let it be noted that vintners and wine researchers have registered for future redistribution of cap and trade tax revenue. Next
Babu
May 1, 2014 at 8:50 am
says:
‘Climate change is indeed destroying our beautiful world and its nature.’
I’m sorry, Babu, but it’s not. Look deeper. What does destroy is politics and force. And so it has ever been. Look at a battlefield sometime.
Nor Cal view … ever since the PDO flipped our springs have tended to be chilly and the true onset of climatic summer (e.g. no more mid latitude systems, marine layer at / near the coast, etc) has shifted to ~ the Solstice. That is 4 to 6 weeks later than it was during the 80s and much of the 90s. The other stressor due the PDO flip has been of course less precip overall. Yield is lower but the grapes tend to be more interesting due to the stress factors. YMMV.
The real secret with Tempranillo is to find the Italian girls with the purple bottoms. And if this article wasn’t posted under humour it should have been 😉
A few comments, some general, some at specific prior comments. (Ans as to my qualifications, apart from the Ph.D. in History, I am also a Certified Wine Educator. So, I know some things.)
First of all, I agree that the study is bunk, but many of the criticisms here are also bunk.
1) As to the complaints about the ‘Greenhouse’. This is part of what makes the study good. It’s not a bug, it’s a feature. It’s called ‘control.’ Stressing a plant with extra CO2 and less water (which can ONLY be done in a controlled environment) and then comparing it to a plant grown outdoors would have been invalid. Growing them all in the same conditions, with the only differences being those things that you are trying to measure is a valid scientific experiment.
2) SOME grapes generally like cooler climes, SOME like warmer, SOME do well in either, but with different results. Tempranillo is a grape known to be hardy in many climates (much like Chardonnay), but it will produce different flavors and colors (just as different soils will produce different flavors and colors). The study appears to have trying to isolate what results would be given a specific different condition. As far as THAT goes, it’s a valid study. HOWEVER, (and I haven’t finished reading it, so I may be out on limb here), if their conclusion is “THE ENTIRE WINE INDUSTRY IS UNDER THREAT BECAUSE OF CLIMATE CHANGE!!!!” then they’ve simply taken a valid study and irresponsibly turned it into a cause for more Chicken Littles.
3) England has made wine for centuries. England has never made good wine.
At more specific prior comments:
@ur momisugly ffohnad What rubbish! They increased the heat, lower the humidity and add co2…. They would get the same results just with a heat adjustment,leaving the rest. Co2 increase reduces water need so these have self canceling effects. Murky reasoning at best.
If all you were talking about was green leaves, fine. But were also talking about FRUIT here, so CO2 most certainly does NOT reduce the need for water.
@ur momisugly DHR The average daily temperature in the Burgundy region of France runs from 30 F in winter to 76 F in summer. In Napa valley, the averages run from 38F to 93 F, considerably hotter than Burgundy. I thought the Napa wines were quite good, often better than many French wines, but I guess not. Because the temperature is higher, they couldn’t be, could they?
Napa Valley grows dozens of different grape varieties, while in Burgundy they grow exactly 3: Chardonnay and Aligote (white grapes) and Pinot Noir. While Pinot Noir is grown in Napa, it is very, very rarely made into a wine that is anywhere close to the quality of Burgundy. Napa is far too hot. If you go west over the ridge into Sonoma, and specifically the Russian River Valley, temps are cooler and Pinot Noir does a bit better. The best American Pinot Noir comes from Oregon. Only Oregon wines can compete with the quality of Burgundy. If you want to compare Napa to anywhere in France, you compare it to Bordeaux. Comparing these regions, preference is a matter of taste. If you like fruit bombs, Napa is superior. If you like subtlety and good food-pairing, Bordeaux is unequaled.
What the study largely misses out on is (as usual) ADAPTATION. Grape vines are some of the most adaptable plants on the planet. In the Rhone region in France (specifically Chateuneuf-du-Pape), where there is virtually NO top-soil, vines are known for producing tap roots as much as 12M deep. (Yes, as much as ~40 feet). Plants ADAPT. When they need more water, they dig deeper.
They have done observational, rather than experimental, studies on this very issue in the Priorat region – rating sugar and alcohol and so on, as outcomes dependent upon indicators of local weather.
The case was made that some aspects of well-cultivated wine, with good climate conditions, is more healthy than wine that has not had the optimal conditions.
I cannot quickly find my notes – maybe this weekend I will post a name or two of those doing the research.
Their bottom line is that we cannot have climate change since it is demonstrated that it will harm wine, not only making it less pleasant, but interfering the health effect of these wines.
They believe, with I believe three years of data, that they have documented the horrible effects of the global warming upon wine. At least in Priorat region.
–As noted, the weaknesses are many in this line of thinking.
Grapes respond to variation in weather. You will not have good grapes if the weather is consistent year after year.
The way I see this, the variation is the fun and excitement – what an intriguing, complicated world God has made for us! Partly to show us how magnificent he is, and partly to show how much he loves us. As well as other reasons beyond our ability to comprehend.
Jimbo, you and many other comments hit the nail, grapes LOVE tough conditions:
http://www.arizonawine.org/
**“jimmaine says:
Synopsis:
Global Warming is destroying our grapes.
All you rich people must give us money to help save your wine”**
After briefly going through the article again – the alarmist crowd always wants to blame CAGW for everything, and make it a justification for anything they want to have, even though they know deep inside it is just an illusion – yes, it appears to be nothing but sour grapes to me.
I’m sorry, I just couldn’t help myself – it had to be said.
“Frodo says:
May 1, 2014 at 12:48 pm”
Good point/pun …. only thing to say to those folks is
“Would you like some cheese to go with that whine”
(or,as the old commercial went, “We will serve no whine before its time”)…
Patrick says:
May 1, 2014 at 4:33 am
…
I am going back to watching “Flying High” on TV, as this movie has more credability than this “report” IMO.”
I’m trying to find a channel over here in Germany for “Break”, as that seemed to do really well against that alarmist climate show…:)
I meant to add that French winemakers have a saying: “In order to make good wine, the grapes must suffer.”
in 2009 we had the wettest year since 1970 here in Spain and March 2013 the rainiest month on record, so the more arid conditions ahead hypothesis does not hold.
http://www.elconfidencial.com/sociedad/2013/04/01/marzo-el-mes-mas-lluvioso-desde-que-existen-los-registros-117951
I’m just going out on a limb here, but I’m pretty sure the authors of this study prefer things that come in boxes, like Ken dolls.
Can you answer my questions earlier questions?
How much co2, how fast was it added, how warm was the greenhouse? Is acclimatization possible over the next 86 years with the grape variety?
Does anyone know where the abstract can be found? Full paper even better. I want to see their greenhouse conditions and if it resembles what is projected for the rest of this century.
What was this research? Was it peer reviewed?
Press releases.
http://www.basqueresearch.com/berria_irakurri.asp?Berri_Kod=5026&hizk=I#.U2LMP5x9CHQ
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140430082856.htm
http://www.basqueresearch.com/berri_txostenak.asp?Berri_Kod=5026&hizk=I
I keep reading research but no paper. When is the paper due out? Until then there cannot be much further comment on the following – water and soil. What about the co2? What about the temperatures?
Let me clarify, they say –
What changes? 500ppm? 900ppm? 1,500ppm? 22C? 30C? 45C? 50C?
“David Schofield says:
May 1, 2014 at 3:37 am
“Climate change is expected to cause a reduction in rainfall”??? Isn’t that at odds with all the ‘warmer air leads to more rain’ we are told about? I wish they’d get a consistent story at least.”
Oh no, CAGW theory says that places needing rain will get less (like vineyards and duck ponds) and places that want less rain will get more (like beaches and baseball stadiums).
@Jaako
“Yet no one talks about Finnish wines. How come?”
No-one believes there are any.
But, but, but … I Finnish wines all the time. But, after I finnish them, they aren’t there any more so perhaps your phrasing is true: Finnished whines are through.
@Alan Robertson.
Chile and South Australia escaped phylloxera, but that does not explain why the article specified a few US states but did not mention specific states in other countries.