Historical Context and Current Risks
The facilitated the spread of vineyards in , a trend reversed by the , leading to the collapse of English viticulture. This historical cycle underscores the vulnerability of winemaking to climate shifts.
Recent studies highlight the high vulnerability of European wine regions to climate change, with significant yield decreases projected for northern areas. This poses a serious threat to the future of these regions' winemaking traditions.
Geographic Indications and Adaptation Challenges
European geographic indications, designed to protect the uniqueness of regional wines, may become a liability in the face of climate change. The rigidity of these rules could hinder necessary adaptations to shifting climatic conditions.
The specific grape variety assignments in many geographic indications, such as 's Nebbiolo requirement, limit the regions' ability to adapt to climate change. This could lead to the extinction of iconic wines as their traditional growing conditions become unsuitable.