Climate change is changing Europe's wine list: Will Hull become the new Bordeaux?

Climate change is not only altering our landscapes - it could also redistribute Europe's finest wines. A recent study by the consulting firm Bain & Company is making waves: Traditional wine-growing regions such as Bordeaux, the world-famous heart of French wine, could simply become too hot and dry by the end of the century for classic grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon to continue to be grown successfully. Instead, an unexpected candidate appears on the horizon: Hull - a northern English port city, hitherto better known for fishing and industry, not for top quality wine.

Climate zone moves northwards

According to the study, the climate zone suitable for viticulture in Europe will shift significantly northwards by 2100. While southern Europe is increasingly struggling with heat stress, water shortages and crop losses, regions such as southern England, northern Germany and even parts of Scandinavia could benefit from rising temperatures.

This means that where there are apple orchards today, vines could be growing in a few decades - and at a high level.

"Climate change has long been a reality in Europe's vineyards - we are facing a tectonic shift in the global wine industry."
- From the Bain & Company report

Challenges for the South, opportunities for the North

This development not only brings new opportunities for previously unknown regions, but also poses enormous challenges for the centuries-old crops in southern Europe. Drought, pests and the need for new grape varieties will drastically change viticulture in France, Spain and Italy.

At the same time, new wine regions are already emerging in the UK - particularly in Kent, Sussex and Hampshire. If Hull really does become the new stronghold for Cabernet Sauvignon, it would symbolize a completely new era in European viticulture.

Austria: Viticulture returns to the mountains

In Austria, climate change is enabling viticulture at higher altitudes and in previously untypical regions. In Carinthia in particular, viticulture is experiencing a renaissance. The province can look back on a thousand-year history of viticulture and is now benefiting from the changed climatic conditions.

However, climate change also brings challenges. Winegrowers have to adapt to new pests and diseases that are favored by the changed climatic conditions. In addition, extreme weather events such as late frosts or heavy rainfall can jeopardize the harvest. To meet these challenges, many Austrian winegrowers rely on sustainable cultivation methods and the cultivation of resistant grape varieties.

Germany: New opportunities in the north, new varieties in the south

In Germany, viticulture is increasingly shifting to more northerly regions. For the first time, wine is grown in all federal states, including Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. A vineyard with 4,000 vines was opened in Breinermoor in the district of Leer. In total, there are 103,108 hectares of vineyards in Germany, with Rheinhessen and Pfalz as the largest growing areas. Climate change is also enabling the cultivation of international grape varieties such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in Germany. White grape varieties are gaining proportionately, while red grape varieties are declining. Particular attention is being paid to organic viticulture, with fungus-resistant grape varieties such as Souvignier Gris in Friesland. East Frisian viticulture shows how meteorological conditions are changing due to climate change and opening up new opportunities.

At the same time, winegrowers are focusing on new, fungus-resistant grape varieties (Piwis) such as Regent, Calardis or Souvignier Gris in order to reduce the use of pesticides and better cope with the changed climatic conditions.

Viticulture as an early warning system for climate change

The grapevine is sensitive. It reacts sensitively to the smallest changes in temperature, soil moisture and solar radiation. The fact that the change in the wine world is so evident is an impressive - and worrying - indication of the ongoing climate change.

Conclusion:
The shift in viticultural boundaries is an impressive demonstration of how our world is changing - subtly but irreversibly. Anyone talking about "the new Bordeaux" today is not just talking about wine, but also about climate adaptation, global responsibility and the question: How do we shape a future in harmony with a new climate?