Global warming is now threatening wine production in the Mediterranean
This is serious
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.We all know that global warming will trigger sea level rises, and cause mass disruption to our civilisation on a worldwide scale.
But there’s a more imminent danger which will leave some drinkers gasping - rising temperatures are disrupting wine production, threatening wine supplies from hotter countries.
A new report says slightly increased temperatures in the Mediterranean region as a result of global warming may result in labour and productivity losses in the European wine industry.
An article in the Temperature journal outlines the effects of high temperatures on the labour output and productivity of manual agricultural grape-picking workers.
It focused on workers in Cyprus, who often work in conditions up to 36C.
Researchers found that higher temperatures during the summer led to labour losses of up to 27%, as a result of the increased stress on the workers’ metabolic and cardiovascular systems.
There was also a 15% decrease in the amount of time workers could carry out their duties, because of the need for irregular and unplanned work breaks.
The ruin of treasured vineyards could be one of the most easily noticeable signs of the world’s warming climate.
Grapevines are very responsive to their surrounding environment, and the soil’s equilibrium is key to the grape’s taste.
But one unexpected benefit of rising temperatures is the vineyards of Britain.
Sales of English sparkling wine are booming, and it’s partly down to us having eight of the warmest years of the past century occurring since 2002.
It means that parts of the South East, where sparkling wine is made, are just a degree cooler than the Champagne district.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments