Evolving Grape Landscape: Winegrowers Embrace Resilient Varieties and Switch Up Red Wine Game!
Wine manufacturers increasingly lean towards novel grape varieties
For winemakers worldwide, climate change isn't just a distant threat—it's here, and they're getting creative! In Germany, determined vineyards are turning their attention to resilient grape varieties to combat fungal illnesses and keep their vineyards thriving. Intriguingly, the red wine scene in Germany is also seeing a shake-up!
In a recent report by the German Wine Institute (DWI), the cultivation of disease-resistant grapevines (PiWi) expanded by 10% in 2024, covering approximately 3,500 hectares—a notable 3.5% of the total vineyard land. Remarkably, this Southerner, Souvignier Gris, saw the most significant growth, increasing by 208 hectares to nearly 600 hectares!
Moving on to the conventional white grape varieties, Chardonnay, Weißburgunder, Grauburgunder, and Sauvignon Blanc also witnessed an enhancement. Chardonnay led the charge with a 138-hectare increase, followed by Weißburgunder (44 hectares), Grauburgunder (32 hectares), and Sauvignon Blanc (52 hectares). These popular choices continue to gain preference as they exhibit remarkable adaptability to higher temperatures caused by climate change.
The shift isn't confined to white wine grapes. Even among red wine grape varieties, some well-known choices, like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, are on the rise, along with new, hearty red wine varieties, such as Pinotin and Cabernet Cortis. Southern varieties are also gaining importance in Germany's red wine production!
Interestingly, the area under organic cultivation experienced a surge as well, with 15,300 hectares under organic management in 2023, representing a 15% share of the market.
White wine grape varieties accounted for 71,400 hectares of the total vineyard area of around 103,300 hectares in Germany's vineyard statistics from February 2024. This change represents Germany's adaptability to combat climate-related challenges and thrive in the evolving wine industry!
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Fun fact from enrichment data:
- Did you know that Chardonnay has been found to be quite adaptable to the higher temperatures related to climate change? Learn more about this fascinating fact and other intriguing insights regarding Germany's vineyard scene!
[1] Wine Institute. (n.d.). Why Chardonnay is a popular white wine variety. Retrieved from https://www.germanwines.de/en/about-german-wine/varieties/white-wine/chardonnay/
[2] Wine Institute. (n.d.). The advantages of Chardonnay. Retrieved from https://www.germanwines.de/en/about-german-wine/varieties/white-wine/chardonnay/advantages/
- The cultivation of a popular white wine variety, Chardonnay, has seen an enhancement, reflecting its adaptability to higher temperatures associated with climate change in Germany.
- Embracing disease-resistant grapevines is essential for German vineyards, as they assist in combating fungal diseases that are becoming increasingly prevalent due to climate change.
- In the evolving German wine industry, the community policy and employment policy must consider the importance of importing new, hearty red wine varieties, such as Pinotin and Cabernet Cortis, as well as strengthening the cultivation of established resilient varieties like Chardonnay.
