The impact of climate change on agriculture is becoming increasingly evident, with rising temperatures and extreme weather events affecting crop yields worldwide. A recent study by the University of Bern, part of the European Geosciences Union, has found that the Burgundy region of France is experiencing earlier grape harvests due to warmer and drier summers. Over the past 30 years, the grape harvest has shifted forward by 13 days compared to previous centuries, with winemakers likely to develop new irrigation methods and potentially switch grape varieties to adapt to the changing climate.
The study, published in the journal Climate of the Past, used historical documents such as newspaper articles and payroll records to reconstruct grape harvest data from 1354 to 2018, making it the longest ever record of wine harvest dates. The data showed a clear correlation between the start of the grape harvest and hotter, drier summers, with the trend becoming more pronounced since 1988. However, the researchers also noted that excessively high temperatures can have the opposite effect, slowing or even halting grape development.
As climate change continues to progress, similar effects are likely to become more common, potentially leading to reduced grape yields and other agricultural impacts. The study highlights the need for farmers and winemakers to adapt to changing conditions, using new technologies and techniques to maintain crop productivity in the face of a changing climate.
