Grapevines are cultivated on 6 out of 7 continents, between latitudes 4� and 51� in the Northern Hemisphere and between 6� and 45� in the Southern Hemisphere across a large diversity of climates (oceanic, warm oceanic, transition temperate, continental, cold continental, Mediterranean, subtropical, attenuated tropical, and arid climates). Accordingly, the range and magnitude of environmental factors differ considerably from region to region and so do the principal environmental constraints for grape production. The type, number and magnitude of environmental constraints are currently undergoing changes due to shifts in climate patterns already observed for the past and predicted for the future. These changes are already affecting grape composition with observed changes in sugar and acidity concentrations. However, these changes are rather easy to detect due to the mere concentration of these compounds in the grape and can be amended by man. As with other components such as polyphenols or aroma compounds, their relationships to environmental changes are more difficult to quantify. One can divide the expected climatic changes during the grape ripening period into two scenarios; warmer and dryer, and warmer and moister with different responses for red and white grape varieties. Approximately representative for the first situation (Mediterranean climate wine regions), a survey study in Australia found a positive link of quality ratings and daily mean regional temperature for red but not for white wines, whereas the apparent influence of temperature on vintage variability was strong for white wines but irrelevant for red wines. For the second scenario (many temperate climate grape-growing regions), fluctuations in soil temperature and water content show pronounced effects on nitrogen availability, thus increasing the risk of diseases affecting grape composition, such as Botrytis cinerea and already compromising grape composition. Several model analyses relevant to grape composition will be presented in order to define the challenges for sustainable wine production.

Global change, sustainability, and challenges for grape and wine production

248th National Meeting (2014)

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