How Climate Change Is Redrawing The World's Wine Map

 California, Spain, France and Australia, look out.  The temperate climates of these areas have changed, and in the future, may not be where the best wine and champagne is produced.  Look at pictures of Napa or the champagne region of France, and you will find parched vines, less than 50% of their crop suitable for turning into wine.  Why?  Climate change has caused these areas to become hotter (for longer periods of time) and drier.  They are not receiving the rain they need.  The future looks bleak for wine producers in these areas.

Winemakers began studying the effects of climate change on wine production back in 2013, and came to some startling conclusions.  Over the next 50 years, the iconic wine regions like Burgundy, France and Napa Valley, would slowly disappear.  In their place would arise new wine regions, such as England, Montana, Wyoming and Michigan, and Scandinavia.  

Here are some NEW wine regions that are getting great acclaim.  You will start to see them in the stores very soon, if not already.

England:  The consensus in the wine world is that England's wine industry could be one of the biggest winners from global climate change by the 2020's.  Hundreds of wineries are popping up in Southern England, and the country is already producing some sparkling wines on a par with France.

Scandinavia.  Due to climate change and warming temperatures, the growing season in this region is longer and the winters are milder.  They are just developing as a wine producing region, about 15 years behind England, but weather conditions should make it possible for them to become a major player in the wine industry.

China.  China seems to be involved in everything, and wine is no exception.  In the past, grapes could only grow along coastal regions, but due to increases in temperature, wine growers are venturing inland.  Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends from Ningxia that are appearing in restaurant and hotels around the world.

Northern United States.  Michigan, Wyoming and Montana now have very small scale wine industries right now, but as Napa Valley becomes warmer to grow certain grape varieties, the northern states will get a lot more attention.  Michigan seems to have the greatest potential.

Next time you go shopping for wine, see if you can find any from some of these countries.  I can't wait to see what places like England and Scandinavia are producing.

The green area on the map are new wine regions.