"Red, red wine, stay close to me, don´t let me be alone" are the
famous lyrics of one of Bob Marley´s biggest hits. But what if that
popular chorus ends like a melody from past memories? Expert Johann Martínez-Lüscher of the University of Navarra
has found out that an increase in temperature and carbón dioxide could
damage one of the most traditional and respected drinks: wine. Heat and
carbon dioxide emissions could contribute to accelerate grape maturation
and therefore change two of the most significant attributes of Baco´s
favorite drink: its color and aroma.
Keep calm and drink wine,
for now. However, who knows how our celebrations will look like in a few
year's time when wine varieties have completely changed. "According to
our results, if you look at the same grapes, with the same accumulation
of sugar, the ones that have been produced in a climate change scenario,
show poorer coloration and this could be transmitted to the wine", said
Martínez-Lüscher. In fact, this phenomenon is driving red wine
producers to go for an over ripening of the grapes, and therefore,
higher alcoholic levels in the wine in order to achieve a proper
coloration .
As far as climate change goes, it is the biggest
feat of the 21st century, it might also bring opportunities for
countries like the UK,which has recently joined the wine market with
success. Nevertheless, this would only be a collateral benefit from a
global panorama that seems darker than red.
As Martínez-Lüscher
added, "one of the answers to this challenge could be the use of new
adaptive strategies or the selection of improved veresions of current
varieties. Maybe changing the varieties that each place grow for the
ones grown in a warmer place could be seen as an easy solution –
however, this would mean giving up tradition and typicity of our wines
which is unaffordable". Climate change effects are visibile on a daily
basis, and it now can be identified on our table… and maybe our songs.
"The combination of varieties or maybe changing the varieties that each
place grows, however this would mean giving up the tradition and
typicality of our wines which is unaffordable". Climate change effects
are visible on a daily basis, and it can now be identified on our
table…and maybe our songs.
Patricia Sáinz de Robredo
Communications
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