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Will Cabernet, the most popular red wine in the U.S., be able to withstand the effects of climate change?

“Adapting to Climate Change: How Napa Valley Winemakers are Innovating to Save Cabernet Grapes”

In California’s Napa Valley, the impact of climate change on the region’s famed cabernet grapes is becoming increasingly evident. Late-summer heat waves are posing a threat to the grapes, which are essential for producing some of the most expensive wines in the United States. As temperatures continue to rise, winemakers are realizing the need to adapt in order to survive in a hotter climate.

The bold red wine produced from cabernet sauvignon grapes has made Napa Valley world-famous, with some bottles fetching prices in the hundreds of dollars. However, the escalating severity of heat waves, especially during the ripening period in late summer, is taking a toll on the grape variety. The wine industry is now facing the reality that Napa may no longer be the prime cabernet region it once was.

To combat the effects of climate change, wineries are implementing new technologies to keep the grapes cool during heat spells. Some wineries are going a step further by experimenting with new grape varieties from hotter climates. By blending these heat-tolerant grapes with cabernet, winemakers hope to offset the flavors that cabernet may lose as temperatures rise. While blending with other grapes comes with risks, such as the potential loss of the cabernet label if the blend falls below 75% cabernet grapes, winemakers are willing to take the gamble to adapt to the changing climate.

At Larkmead Vineyards in Calistoga, winemaker Avery Heelan is growing rare grape varieties like touriga nacional, aglianico, charbono, and tempranillo alongside cabernet vines. These lesser-known grapes were planted as part of a research vineyard to explore their potential to blend well with cabernet as temperatures increase. Despite the financial risks and time investment required for these experiments, winemakers like Heelan are determined to prepare their vineyards for the future.

In Stags Leap, winemaker Elias Fernandez of Shafer Vineyards is installing misters to cool the cabernet vines during heat waves. While the use of extra water poses challenges in drought-prone California, Fernandez believes that the misting system will help the cabernet vines produce at their highest level. Despite the challenges, Fernandez remains committed to preserving cabernet as the centerpiece of their business, with wines priced at $100 and above.

Researchers like Elisabeth Forrestel at the University of California, Davis, are studying the impact of climate change on Napa’s wine regions. Forrestel’s lab is analyzing Napa Valley grapes to understand how heat affects crucial compounds for wine production. With the average temperature during the ripening season in Napa already warming almost 3 degrees Fahrenheit from 1958 to 2016, winemakers are faced with the challenge of adapting to a hotter future.

As winemakers explore strategies like blending cabernet with other red grapes to mitigate the effects of heat, they may need to consider changing their labels to “red blend” if the blend falls below the 75% cabernet requirement. This shift poses a challenge for U.S. winemakers, as the labeling system in the U.S. focuses on grape variety rather than region. Unlike European winemakers who have more flexibility in blending, U.S. winemakers face the challenge of consumer perception and market demand for cabernet wines.

Forrestel emphasizes the importance of consumer awareness and openness to trying new wine varieties better suited for a hotter climate. As the wine industry grapples with the impacts of climate change, winemakers and consumers alike play a crucial role in shaping the future of winemaking in regions like Napa Valley.

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