Al Gore, Global Warming, and Grapes

Filed in archive Wine Making on July 11, 2006

If Al Gore and all the scientists on the global warming side of the camp are right, then there could be trouble for grape grows, and thus wine lovers like ourselves, some where down the line.

At least, that's what this article from ABC News is trying to claim: In the last 50 years, the study says, average temperatures have warmed by about 1.6 degrees Fahrenheit in the main wine-producing regions of California, Oregon and Washington.

Virtually all climate scientists blame the rise on human-caused greenhouse gases - like carbon dioxide - released into the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels.

Looking at the average temperature increase doesn't tell the whole story, researchers say.

"What really hits the winegrape plants hard is the frequency of extremely hot days," Diffenbaugh said.

Using high resolution computer models and historical observations, the team has for the first time attempted to predict how well grape plants will be able to tolerate "extreme temperature days" that reach at least 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The conclusions predict the outlook isn't good.

The most tolerant winegrape plants are able to handle 14 days of 95 degree-plus weather in a season before they were ruined by the heat.

The models predicted that the number of those hot days would increase to anywhere from 30 per to 60 per season.

Personally, I don't buy into global warming and I equate Al Gore with Chicken Little. Some scientists even think the earth is cooling, not warming. But, just in case, it probably wouldn't hurt to make sure our wine cellars are well stocked!

Al Gore image from UNDP.