Global Warming may Lead to New Wine-Producing Regions

According to a new study, global warming may lead to newer places producing wines, rather than old-time favorites such as the Mediterranean countries, which are finding it tougher to grow good-quality grapes.

Researchers found that areas that are suitable for viticulture in major wine-producing regions are likely to see a decrease of anywhere from 25 percent to 73 percent by 2050.

Grape production in Mediterranean areas is likely to fall 68 percent by 2050 and by 73 percent in Australia, the study found. Also, regions in New Zealand along with northern Europe and north western United States will see an increase of grape production in the next few decades, Bloomberg reported.

For the study, researchers assessed the change in grape production in various regions by using 17 climate models.

"I think wine lovers will find their wines will come from unusual areas, and the varieties they're used to getting from places like France will be changing. Enthusiasts will have to begin thinking about wine in a different way," said Lee Hannah, of the Betty and Gordon Moore Center for Ecosystem Science and Economics and lead author of the study, reports US News.

The shift of wine-producing areas will lead to newer challenges in the protection of wildlife in these regions.

"Wine production may expand into areas that are good wildlife habitats, such as the Yellowstone and Yukon conservation areas. People will soon need to think about the conservation of species such as grizzlies and moose as wine and other crops move in," Hannah said, reports US News.

The study is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.