CNN's Rachel Ramirez is reporting that on the connection between champagne and climate change.
The beloved tradition of ringing in the New Year with a champagne "pop" is under threat due to climate change, according to ClimateAi. The key grape varieties used in champagne production, chardonnay, pinot noir, and pinot meunier, are at risk of extinction by 2050 because of the warming climate and changing weather patterns, especially in prominent wine-growing regions like Champagne, France. A 2020 study warned that suitable wine-growing regions could shrink significantly with rising global temperatures. Extreme weather events, exacerbated by climate change, have already led to the lowest global wine production in 60 years. Wine growers are now considering adaptation strategies, such as finding cooler locations. In France, despite a challenging year in 2021 with the smallest harvest since 1957, 2023 has seen better production. Meanwhile, some winemakers, like Dave and Lois Cho, have relocated to Oregon's Willamette Valley, known for its higher elevation and cooler temperatures, to adapt to these climatic changes. This situation also opens opportunities for new flavors and innovations in winemaking, as traditional wine regions like Bordeaux and Champagne are legally bound to their territories. The Chos, for example, have experimented with blending grapes and apples for a unique sparkling wine, showcasing adaptability and creativity in the face of climate change.
Source: CNN
https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/28/climate/new-year-champagne-weather-threat-climate/index.html?Date=20231228&Profile=cnnclimate
(This article was written with assitance from ChatGPT)
