|
|
|
Grape growers squeezed by changing weather
5 May 2008
A visiting US academic has warned that climate change could wipe out as much as 80 per cent of Australia's wine production. As inland irrigation zones become to hot and dry for production, winemakers will have to adapt and find new growing regions and more suitable grape varieties. Environmental scientist Dr Greg Jones said that winemakers in the US and Europe are already buying up land at higher altitudes and in coastal regions where cooler conditions will provide a level of buffer against global warming. Dr Jones suggested that growers can "move up the varietal ladder" by switching to hardier varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, but if you are already in a warmer zone and growing those varieties then there aren't many options if it gets warmer still.
The Australian, 5/5/2008
|
|
