Summary
Due to climate change, some wineries are starting to mix wines from different years to keep the taste consistent. This practice, called non-vintage blending, is more common in sparkling wines but is now being used for still wines as well. Warmer weather and extreme events like wildfires are affecting vineyards worldwide, leading wine producers to consider new methods.
Key Facts
- Climate change is causing hotter weather and more extreme events, like wildfires, in vineyard areas.
- Non-vintage wine blends mix wines made from grapes harvested in different years.
- In Napa Valley, California, higher temperatures and wildfires have impacted vineyards significantly.
- Chris Howell, a winemaker in Napa Valley, uses non-vintage blends to manage the impact of climate changes.
- Sparkling wines, especially Champagne, often use non-vintage blends to maintain consistency.
- Italian winemaker Riccardo Pasqua started making Italy's first multi-year still wine as a way to stabilize the wine's quality.
- Pasqua's family winery blends wines from up to five different years to achieve a desired taste.
