Abstract
In this study, we investigated the consequences of climate change on bioclimatic indices in vineyards along the edge of Lake Neuchatel in Switzerland. Like in other vineyards all around the world, the typicity of wines and the phenology of vines have changed, particularly since the 1970s. Trends in the growing season average temperature and in Huglin’s heliothermal index show that the climate in the Neuchatel vineyards changed from very cool or cool to temperate during the last decades. Trends in the cool night index and in the prior to harvest cool night index both indicate that in the near future this wine region will frequently experience temperate instead of cool nights during the weeks leading up to harvest. Our results highlight the need for adaptation strategies, such as an upward elevational shift for Pinot Noir, as climatic conditions will become too warm at its current location in the next decades. They also show that conditions in this region are already favorable for more thermophilic varieties such as Merlot. In the context of global warming, this kind of analysis should be conducted throughout winegrowing regions in order to develop efficient adaptation strategies at the microclimatic scale.
Highlights
Grapevines are cultivated in specific regions according to the particular temperature needs of each variety and to a process of selection and experimentation conducted by winegrowers (Huglin and Schneider 1998; Jones 2007; Moriondo et al 2013; Unwin 2005)
For NEU, the segmented regression indicated the same three periods, but only two of them showed a significant change in growing season temperature (GST): the first one (1900 to 1947) with an increase of 0.25°C decade−1 and the third one (1974 to 2019) with an increase of 0.55°C decade−1, both highly significant (p
If the GST trend continues, the probability of having a year with a GST under 16°C will be lower than 10% within 10 years
Summary
Grapevines are cultivated in specific regions according to the particular temperature needs of each variety and to a process of selection and experimentation conducted by winegrowers (Huglin and Schneider 1998; Jones 2007; Moriondo et al 2013; Unwin 2005). This process explains the existence of wine regions, which are characterized by specific wine typicities (Jones 2007). Air temperature rise, combined with ever-earlier grape harvests, changes the typicity and character of the wines produced (Jones and Webb 2010; Spayd et al 2002; van Leeuwen and Darriet 2016). The composition of grapes changes considerably with an overall rise in air temperature, modifying the typicity of the wines
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
