Climate Change Favorable for English Winemakers
2009-11-5 8:29
For decades, few have taken English winemaking seriously. But that’s all starting to change because of global warming.
Climate change allows England to take on the quality red wines traditionally associated with warmer southern climates. Warmer summers and milder winters have changed things. Now England can produce wines that occasionally beat French rivals in blind tastings.
[Marie, Grape Picker]:
"I think it's an image problem more than anything, just people don't really know about them and think of it as a bit of a joke because they're used to wines coming from really hot countries. But I think that's changing now as people talk about it more and try different British wines, I think that will change."
British winemakers are reaping the benefits.
[Chris White, General Manager, Denbies]:
"I think we've been very fortunate, I mean 20 years ago we didn't know about global warming but we've certainly benefited from the ability to produce a better quality product, and so the business at the moment is flourishing. We've experienced, in the wine sales, 20 percent growth year on year for the last five or six years, which is why we're planting greater acreage just to keep up with that demand, and so at the moment it's an exciting business to be in."
Climate scientists have warned that global warming will shift growing patterns for crops, to the point that some developing countries may become too hot or dry to grow enough wheat and corn to feed themselves.
Northern European wine regions are starting to develop the characteristics of areas further to the south.
Italy, France and Spain are among the world's top wine producers. But experts warn if nothing is done to protect the planet against climate change, they may become too hot for growing grapes.
Instead, England and countries even further north could take over as the wine producers of Europe.
