Changing climate could have mixed results for vineyards
October 9, 2013
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - A Purdue University online series on Indiana's wine grape industry continues this week with a report on how a changing climate is both helping and hindering growers.
Part 5 of "Through the Grapevine" includes interviews with climatologists and a viticulture specialist who share their expertise on an Indiana climate that has become milder in the past 30 years, with a longer growing season that has enabled some producers to try their hand at growing varieties they previously could not realistically cultivate in a cooler environment.
A southern Indiana grower tells of his experiences of nearly 20 years in growing certain varieties that thrive in the mild climates of Mediterranean Europe and California.
The article also explores how the possibility of more fluctuating weather extremes in the future could lead to continued instances of drought, hail, frost damage and excessive rain - any of which could be devastating to vineyards. One climatologist says growers will need to adapt to the changing climate in choosing which varieties to grow.
The series is on the website of the Purdue Agricultures magazine. Part 5 is at https://ag.purdue.edu/agricultures/Pages/ThroughTheGrapevine/05-ClimateChange.aspx.
Writer: Keith Robinson, 765-494-2722, robins89@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Keith Robinson, robins89@purdue.edu
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