Study Reveals Climate Vulnerability of Europe's Wine Regions

European wine traditions, particularly those governed by the Protected Designations of Origin (PDO), are facing unprecedented challenges due to climate change. For countries like Italy and France, which together produce nearly two-thirds of the European Union's DOC and DOCG wines, these designations define not only product quality but also cultural identity. However, rising temperatures and changing weather patterns are forcing vintners to reconsider long-standing cultivation practices to protect these regional specialties.

PDOs provide a legal framework that safeguards specific wine varieties based on historical production methods and geography. A recent study published in Nature Communications by Ca' Foscari University of Venice and Eurac Research in Bozen/Bolzano is the first to map the vulnerability of these wine regions in the face of climate change. This study accounts for various climate scenarios and the ability of each wine region to adapt, factoring in regulatory frameworks and regional resources.

The study found that Eastern European countries, including Romania, Croatia, Bulgaria, Italy, and Hungary, face the highest exposure to climate-related risks due to their geography and climate. Conversely, wine regions with strong oceanic influences, like Portugal and the Canary Islands, or those located at higher latitudes, such as Belgium and the Netherlands, show lower levels of exposure.

Climate vulnerability is particularly pronounced in southern European regions, which are often at or near the maximum temperature tolerance for traditional grape varieties. Regulations that restrict which varieties can be grown exacerbate this vulnerability, limiting producers' options for adaptation as temperatures rise. Using 15 indicators, researchers assessed each region's adaptive capacity, or its ability to implement measures to cope with the changing climate. They considered factors such as population demographics, financial resources, skills, and the inherent natural adaptability of the terroir.

The research identified different groups of wine regions with varying levels of vulnerability. Approximately five percent of European wine regions, including Trebbiano d'Abruzzo and Lambrusco Mantovano in Italy, and Sierra de Salamanca in Spain, face the highest risks. These regions lack both the resources and conditions necessary for effective adaptation. A larger group, about 25 percent of wine regions, also shows high vulnerability, though less critical. This group includes renowned appellations such as Côtes de Provence in France, Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco in Italy, Alentejo in Portugal, and Rioja in Spain.

Regions facing moderate to low climate risk, comprising about 70 percent of the study's sample, include Côtes d'Auvergne and Alsace in France, Rheinhessen in Germany, and Alto Adige in Italy. Many of these regions benefit from greater adaptive resources and could adjust to new conditions through measures such as shifting vineyards to higher altitudes or investing in advanced technology.

Sebastian Candiago, who contributed to the study, highlighted the critical role of terroir— the unique environmental, climatic, and cultural factors that define each wine region. He emphasized that, because vines are long-lived and highly localized crops, changing production specifications can be challenging. Candiago underscored the importance of both flexibility and foresight in the winemaking industry.

Some regions are already exploring adaptive strategies, from canopy management and irrigation to adjustments in vineyard structure, rootstock selection, and cover crop usage. More substantial changes may be required in certain cases, potentially necessitating updates to longstanding regulations. Bordeaux, for example, is experimenting with grape varieties like Touriga Nacional, native to Portugal, which could help increase resilience to warmer temperatures.

The study's results, accessible via an online interactive map, offer insights into each protected wine region's specific vulnerabilities and adaptive capacity. This research aims to guide vintners in navigating climate impacts while preserving the economic, cultural, and environmental significance of European wine.

Simon Tscholl et al, Climate resilience of European wine regions, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50549-w