The
author of The Winelands of Britain: past, present and prospective,
Emeritus Professor Richard Selley of Imperial College London, claims
that if average summer temperatures in the UK continue to rise as predicted,
some parts which currently contain many vineyards, will be too hot to
support wine production within the next 75 years.
Instead, Professor Selley says, this land could be suitable for growing
raisins, currents and sultanas, currently only cultivated in hot climates
such as North Africa and the Middle East.
However, he adds that vast areas of the UK including Yorkshire and Lancashire
will be able to grow vines like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon which are
currently cultivated in warmer climates like the South of France
and Chile.
Different grape varieties flourish in different temperatures,
and are grouped into cool, intermediate, warm and hot grape groups. For
the last 100 years 'cool' Germanic grape varieties have been planted
in British vineyards to produce wines like Riesling. In the last 20 years
some 'intermediate' French grape varieties have been successfully planted
in southeast England, producing internationally prize-winning sparkling
white wines made from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay.
Combining
temperature predictions with his own research, Professor Selley predicts
that these cool and intermediate grape varieties will be confined to
the far north of England, Scotland and Wales by 2080, with 'warm' and
'hot' varieties seen throughout the midlands and south of England, says
the report by Eurekalert.
"My previous research has shown how the northernmost limit of UK wine-production
has advanced and retreated up and down the country in direct relation
to climatic changes since Roman times, says the author.
"Now, with
models suggesting the average annual summer temperature in the south of England
could increase by up to five degrees centigrade by 2080, I have been able to
map how British viticulture could change beyond recognition in the coming years.
Grapes that currently thrive in the south east of England could become limited
to the cooler slopes of Snowdonia and the Peak District."
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