Nada Farhoud: Your favourite wine could be under threat from climate change

From a silky Pinot Noir  to a complex Cabernet Sauvignon – we all have our favourite tipples.

But don’t take your next glass for granted as many of the world’s most popular ­varieties of wine could be
lost for ever if temperatures continue to rise.

Not only is climate change responsible for melting the ice caps, rising sea levels and causing more extreme weather patterns, it could soon be changing what you drink down the pub or put in your shopping trolley.

Scientists say it may also bring a shortage of many popular wines forcing growers to plant grapes more resistant to climate change.

Researchers, led by the University of British Columbia in Canada, say that over half of current wine-growing regions could be lost if temperatures rise just 2C, a level the world is on track to exceed, hitting the cellar hard.

More than half of current wine-growing regions could be lost (stock photo) (Alamy)

A 4C rise would mean three-quarters of these areas would be lost, partly down to factors such as rainfall but the main driver will be heat, which may damage plants or speed up ripening, making the grapes too high in sugar.

Some countries will be more affected than others, with those already warmer less able to compensate for future losses and hitting up to 90% of Italy and Spain’s grapes.

The scientists said the damage could be mitigated by switching to grapes that perform better in the heat.

Warmer weather means ice caps are melting (SWNS)

But this will mean the growers abandoning the grape varieties they have relied on for centuries, and the distinctive flavours of wines from regions such as Burgundy and Bordeaux are likely to be lost for ever.

There are also complex rules about how wines are labelled. For example, the name “champagne” can only legally be used if the sparkling wine comes from the Champagne region of France.

There is also likely to be more of a choice of wine from a warmer Britain, which could start producing more of its own Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. Ireland too.

Study co-author Dr Benjamin Cook said wine is the canary in the coal mine for climate impacts on agriculture as grapes are so sensitive to heat change – the start of a long list of disruption still to come.