Heard It Through The Grape Vine

While the endless debate goes on concerning global warming, they are saying that global warming could be a boost for English Wines.

There are two big hopes for the English wine industry. The first is global warming. If average temperatures creep up a little, then one beneficiary will be English wine: from being a very marginal climate with one really good vintage a decade, yields and quality could shoot up, and with them the reputation of our wines. The other hope is bubbles (Sparkling Wines).

It has been in the news a lot recently. Whether your a sceptic or a hard-bitten environmentalist, it's hard to ignore the data showing that global average temperatures have risen significantly over the last 50 years. Their rise looks set to continue, with implications for wine growers worldwide. While it might seem a bit small-minded to think about wine quality when we are staring global environmental catastrophe in the face, even though this could be very good news for the English Wine Producers. If there will be a small rise in average temperature, this could transform out marginal climate into one ideal for growing high-quality wine grapes in the U.K.

While if France heats up the wines might end up being more consistent, but arguably less compelling it will be a bit like most new world Pinot Noir. This might give regions cooler than France an edge. Might we then see a shift in agricultural land use, with the south of England largely under vine? It's an interesting prospect. Overall, though, if global warming does continue at the current rate, there will be far more losers than winners in the wine world. Bear in mind also that it takes many years for vineyards to be established, and if the suitability of sites for various varieties changes dramatically, there will be a lengthy period where wine quality will suffer until new plantings take hold. Globally the situation looks very worrying.
But for English Wine there is hope. With slightly warmer and longer summers, things could look very interesting for English Wines. This is because the most interesting wines tend to be made close to the limits of where grapes can successfully ripen. Pinot Noir, the red grape of Burgundy, doesn't perform as well in warmer regions such as the Languedoc, but makes sublime wines in Burgundy where there is only just enough sun each year to ripen it. Riesling performs best in the distinctly cool Mosel Saar Ruwer region of Germany. In Bordeaux, where the worlds most sought-after examples of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are made, in the less warm years the wines have a distinct whiff off unripeness to them. If, along with the UK, these regions all see some increased temperatures over coming decades, then England could become home to some very exciting wines, perhaps eclipsing some of the current established classics.