Sun, 24 Aug 2025

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 Climate change pushing winemakers to blend wines from different years

Non-vintage still wine is now increasingly being made in response to more challenging weather.
Climate Change Forces Winemakers to Rethink Tradition Wineries are increasingly turning to non-vintage wines due to climate change, which is causing unpredictable weather conditions such as heatwaves and wildfires. In some regions, like Napa Valley in California, summers have become noticeably hotter, making it difficult for winemakers to produce consistent wines. The Benefits of Non-Vintage Wines Non-vintage wines, which are made by blending grapes from different years, can provide a more consistent taste and aroma compared to vintage wines. This is particularly important during extreme weather conditions when individual vintages may not meet quality standards. Italy Leads the Way Italian winery owner Riccardo Pasqua was inspired by French champagnes, which are mostly non-vintage blends, to create Italy's first multi-year still white wine. The wine, called "Hey French, You Could Have Made This But You Didn't," is a nod to Italy's wine rivalry with France. Climate Change Forces Winemakers to Adapt Winemakers in Italy and California are now more open to producing non-vintage wines due to the increasing frequency of extreme weather events such as droughts, hailstorms, and heatwaves. This shift in thinking may eventually change the stigma associated with non-vintage wines. Perception is Key To popularize non-vintage wines, winemakers need to change drinkers' perceptions about these wines. Master of Wine Dawn Davies believes that most consumers won't notice or care about the vintage of a wine, and that only a small group of enthusiasts will always prefer vintage wines. The Future of Wine As climate change continues to affect vineyards around the world, winemakers may be forced to adapt their traditional methods. Non-vintage wines could become more common in the future, offering a consistent taste and aroma for consumers while reducing the risks associated with extreme weather conditions.
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