Climate change may have a silver lining for grape growers in New Zealand, according to a new global study.
The research, published in PNAS this week, found that the area of land suitable for growing grapes would change substantially around the world under predicted climate shifts in the next four decades. According to the authors, wine-producing regions such as California and the Mediterranean will experience substantial losses of vine-friendly land, whereas New Zealand, western North America, and Northern Europe show substantial increases in suitable area.
The based on a number of climate models, the research estimates that New Zealand’s potential wine growing area could increase by 168 percent.
You can read more about the research and expert commentary, here.
The research has been widely covered in the New Zealand media, with examples including:
NZ Herald: Climate change is good news for NZ grape growers
Stuff.co.nz: Wine industry could get climate boost
NewstalkZB: Grape growing land predicted to double in 40 years
NZ Herald: Warming likely boost to vineyards
Radio New Zealand: Demand not climate expands wine areas, says scientist
MSN NZ News: Panda vs pinot as vineyards face warming
Radio New Zealand: Study predicts big expansion in NZ wine-growing areas
Stuff.co.nz: Climate Change Could be Boon For NZ Wine Industry
Idealog: As the world warms, we’ll be drinking more homegrown wine