As the world grapples with the reality of climate change, one of its more unexpected casualties could be the luxury beverage industry. According to ClimateAI, a climate resilience platform, there could be a potential champagne shortage on the horizon due to global climate changes.
Climate change doesn’t just mean hotter summers and more severe winters. It also has a profound impact on agriculture, particularly specialized crops. In the case of champagne, the extinction of specific grape varieties due to climate change could severely impact its production.
Will Kletter, ClimateAI’s VP of operations, predicts a champagne shortage by 2050 due to the impact of climate change on grape harvests. The changing climate, specifically the lack of cool nights, could force premature harvesting or risk over-ripening of grapes. These conditions are not conducive to the production of high-quality champagne, leading to potential shortages.
The consequences of this looming crisis extend beyond just our glasses. To combat the changing climate, grape growers may have to move their production to cooler climates. This shift has already begun to take place, with a noticeable rise in investment in sparkling product production in the U.K., due to its favorable climate of warm days and cool nights.
However, this shift could have significant economic repercussions, particularly in regions like Italy and France, where wine production contributes significantly to the economy. Champagne production is a significant part of France’s economy, with French wine accounting for 16% of all global wine sales. As such, these regions stand to be particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
While the world continues to grapple with the wider implications of climate change, the potential champagne shortage serves as a sobering reminder of the far-reaching impacts of our changing climate. It underscores the urgency of addressing climate change and building resilience in all sectors, including agriculture and the luxury beverage industry.
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