terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Assessing the climate change vulnerability of European winegrowing regions by combining exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity indicators

Assessing the climate change vulnerability of European winegrowing regions by combining exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity indicators

Abstract

Winegrowing regions recognized as protected designations of origin (PDOs) are closely tied to well defined geographic locations with a specific set of pedoclimatic attributes and strictly regulated by legal specifications. However, climate change is increasingly threatening these regions by changing local conditions and altering winegrowing processes. The vulnerability to these changes is largely heterogenous across different winegrowing regions because it is determined by individual characteristics of each region, including the capacity to adapt to new climatic conditions and the sensitivity to climate change, which depend not only on natural, but also socioeconomic and legal factors. Accurate vulnerability assessments therefore need to combine information about adaptive capacity and climate change sensitivity with projected exposure to new climatic conditions. However, most existing studies focus on specific impacts neglecting important interactions between the different factors that determine climate change vulnerability. Here, we present the first comprehensive vulnerability assessment of European wine PDOs that spatially combines multiple indicators of adaptive capacity and climate change sensitivity with high-resolution climate projections. We found that the climate change vulnerability of PDO areas largely depends on the complex interactions between physical and socioeconomic factors. Homogenous topographic conditions and a narrow varietal spectrum increase climate change vulnerability, while the skills and education of farmers, together with a good economic situation, decrease their vulnerability. Assessments of climate change consequences therefore need to consider multiple variables as well as their interrelations to provide a comprehensive understanding of the expected impacts of climate change on European PDOs. Our results provide the first vulnerability assessment for European winegrowing regions at high spatiotemporal resolution that includes multiple factors related to climate exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity on the level of single winegrowing regions. They will therefore help to identify hot spots of climate change vulnerability among European PDOs and efficiently direct adaptation strategies.

Download the PDF

DOI:

Publication date: May 31, 2022

Issue: Terclim 2022

Type: Article

Authors

Simon Tscholl1,2, Sebastian Candiago3,2, Thomas Marsoner2, Helder Fraga4, Carlo Giupponi3, and Lukas Egarter Vigl2

1Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
2Institute for Alpine Environment, Eurac Research, Bozen/Bolzano, Italy
3Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Department of Economics, Venezia, Italy 
4Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal

Contact the author

Keywords

adaptation, climate change, geographical indication, viticulture, vulnerability

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terclim 2022

Citation

Related articles…

First characterization of Torrontés Riojano in la Rioja, Argentina: impact of pruning intensity on vine vigor and grape production 

Pruning is one essential vineyard management activity whose main purpose is to regulate plant growth and vigour, modulating berry size, and consequently, wine quality. In Chilecito, La Rioja Province, Argentina, Torrontés Riojano stands as the only autochthonous variety for winemaking, yielding golden and aromatic berries and distinctive muscatel-tasting wines. This white cultivar, resulting from the natural cross between Moscatel de Alejandría x Criolla Chica, is traditionally trained in “parral” (horizontal trellis system), aimed to manage vigorous canopies. This project constitutes the first study on the influence of pruning intensity on Torrontés Riojano growth habit and berry quality.

Read More

Innovative sparkling wines, traditional grape varieties and autochthonous yeasts: emerging trends for regional products diversification

Italy, like all the major vine-growing and wine-producing countries, has experienced a decline in wine export volumes in recent years.

Read More

Study of fungal and bacterial laccases for the reduction of ochratoxin A content in model wine

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by several filamentous fungi infecting grape bunches (Penicillium and Aspergillus spp.), this toxin pass to must when grapes are crushed and later it is found in wine. Following the evaluations of the toxicity of OTA, European Commission Regulations have been promulgated introducing upper limits for OTA concentrations in various commodities (cereals, cereal products, dried vine fruit, coffee, wine, grape juice, baby foods and dietary foods for special medical purposes).

Read More

INSIGHT THE IMPACT OF GRAPE PRESSING ON MUST COMPOSITION

The pre-fermentative steps play a relevant role for the characteristics of white wine [1]. In particular, the grape pressing can affect the chemical composition and sensory profile and its optimized management leads to the desired extraction of aromas and their precursors, and phenols resulting in a balanced wine [2-4]. These aspects are important especially for must addressed to the sparkling wine as appropriate extraction of phenols is expected being dependent to grape composition, as well.

Read More

How do different oak treatment affect the sensory composition of Chenin blanc wines over time?

Wooden barrels have been the preferred method for oak maturation for wines, but the use of alternative oak products, such as staves and oak chips have increased in South Africa due to lower production costs. This study investigated the effect of different oak products used during fermentation and ageing on the sensory profile, degree of liking and perceived quality of a South African Chenin blanc wine. The different wine treatments included an unoaked tank control wine, wines matured in 5th fill barrels, wines matured in new barrels from three different cooperages, and wines matured in 5th fill barrels with stave inserts from two different cooperages.

Read More