When people talk about climate change, they usually focus on rising temperatures. In January 2024, however, it was dramatic cold snap that decimated vines in British Columbia. Now, growers and wineries have big decisions to make. Michaela Morris reports.
The French government is almost certain to fund the uprooting of another 37,500ha of vineyards, in addition to up to 9,000ha that have already been earmarked for grubbing up in Bordeaux. Some estimates suggest that five times this area will have to go.
For the first time, vineyard owners in Bordeaux are facing penalties if they neglect their vineyards. Fines of up to €5,000 per hectare may be imposed.
The word ‘catastrophe’ is being used by French vignerons to describe the havoc wreaked on their vineyards by rot and mildew, according to French media. Across France, vignerons are worrying about the state of their grapes.
Ben Bentzin, Associate Professor of Instruction at the University of Texas, responds to Robert Joseph's suggestion that 15% of the world's vineyards may need to be uprooted. What are your thoughts?
Last week, in his Devil’s Advocate column, Robert Joseph made the bold – and in at least one reader’s view ‘alarmist' - prediction that 10-15% of the world’s vineyards might need to be uprooted. Here, we consider some of the evidence that supports the figures.
Recently-created resistant PIWI – ‘pioneering wine’ – grape varieties that take their name from the German term pilzwiderstandsfähig (fungus-resistant), are increasingly seen by viticulturists as a viable solution to emerging environmental and climatic challenges.
