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Climate change threatens Riesling: winegrowers are fighting for survival!
Find out how climate change affects viticulture in Bad Dürkheim and what challenges winemakers have to overcome.
Climate change threatens Riesling: winegrowers are fighting for survival!
How is German Riesling doing in the face of climate change? In Bad Dürkheim, winemakers are faced with significant challenges. Climate change has increased the average annual temperature in the region by around 1.8 degrees since the late 19th century, which is noticeable in winegrowing. According to a report by the Rhine Palatinate The increase in temperature also results in an increase in hot days. These climatic changes primarily put water availability and the intensity of solar radiation to the test.
Jochen Schmitt, a dedicated winemaker from Bad Dürkheim, has found solutions to deal with these conditions. In addition to irrigating his 22-acre vineyard, he has implemented a sustainability strategy that has been in place since 2014. The Schmitt winery will be awarded the EU organic seal from the 2023 vintage. A particular focus is on fungus-resistant grape varieties (Piwis), which now make up 15% of the vineyard area. This innovative planting requires only a third of the pesticides compared to traditional variants. At the same time, the 35% vineyard area is planted with the popular Riesling, while Silvaner and Portugieser have been completely removed from cultivation.
The challenges of climate change
But it's not just Bad Dürkheim that has been spared from the effects of climate change. Extreme weather conditions such as late frosts, heat periods, extreme drought and heavy rain endanger grapevines nationwide. [Landwirtschaft.de]. Protective measures such as anti-freeze irrigation are costly and not always available. In addition, heavy rain events can lead to crop failures as they promote fungal diseases such as powdery mildew.
To meet these challenges, many winemakers are turning to new, fungus-resistant grape varieties. How ZDF describes in detail, the cultivation of heat-loving grape varieties has increased significantly in recent years. For example, Sauvignon blanc (+162%) and Chardonnay (+83%) recorded significant growth rates between 2012 and 2022. Wineries in Germany also had to adapt to a changed spectrum of varieties as the ripening time of the grapes was postponed from the end of October to the end of September.
A look at the summer tour
In order to give winemakers and interested parties an insight into this topic, RHEINPFALZ invites you to a summer tour on July 24th. Registrations are possible until July 21st at 10 a.m. by email or postcard. Participation is free and aimed at an adult audience, including a small wine tasting. A great opportunity to learn more about the future of viticulture in the region and perhaps develop a good hand at wine tasting!
Amid these challenges, Riesling, an integral part of German wine culture, remains important, but its cultivation strategies must also adapt to the climatic reality. Whether with new technologies or proven methods, the winemakers of Bad Dürkheim are ready to shape the future of Riesling with courage and innovation.