Scientists have warned for years that climate change would bring problems for a number of the world’s industries. Right now, the wine industry in Italy is having to adjust to the effects of climate change. This is especially true in the Piedmont region of Italy known for Barolo and Barbaresco wines.
Over the last few years, the Piedmont region has experienced two problems as a result of the changing climate. One of the problems is that the summers are getting warmer. This is causing the grapes to have a higher sugar content, and this causes a change in the taste of the wine. The other major problem is the heavy rainfall brought by climate change. This is causing massive soil erosion around the vines. This is especially true for vines located on sloping ground.
Those who grow the grapes for wine in the Piedmont region are taking action to fight the effects of climate change. In order to combat the growing heat of the summer, growers are leaving the leaves on the grape vines. In the past, the leaves were pulled off as they took moisture from the grapes. Now, the leaves are left on to provide shade for the grapes and protect them from the heat.
In order to combat the increasing rainfall resulting from climate change, growers are allowing grass to grow among the vines to hold the soil in place. In past years, the grass was removed so that it didn’t compete for moisture with the vines. With the heavy rainfall, that is not necessary. The grass can remain to conserve the soil.
In addition to these measures, growers are planting new varieties of grapes that are more suited to the area’s changing climate. The wine industry is changing in Italy as growers are adapting to the effects of climate change.
