Climate change is expected to make many grape-growing regions too dry and arid to produce high-quality wines from traditional varieties. But scientists at the University of California, Davis, have found that wine grapes from regions vulnerable to water scarcity stress have some characteristics that can cope with climate change.
Image courtesy of: Wine Magazine
The study, published in the Journal of Experimental Botany, found that varieties that produce the best wines in warm, dry regions have water-saving traits that help vines extend water resources throughout the growing season. The study investigated how vines regulate their stomata and how small amounts of water stress improve wine by concentrating the flavor and aroma of the grapes.
Climate change is becoming a major dilemma for the growing industry, and winegrowers need to plan ahead for it.
