Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
ClimateAI, a San Francisco-based climate resilience platform, has raised concerns about the potential shortage of champagne due to the impact of climate change on grape varieties, according to artificial intelligence-driven data.
The company's data suggests that numerous grape varieties, including those crucial for champagne production such as pinot noir, chardonnay, and merlot, could be on the verge of extinction.
ClimateAI's Vice President of Operations and Strategy, Will Kletter, warns that by the year 2050, champagne and wine enthusiasts may face a diminishing availability of their preferred beverages.
Will Kletter explains that the delightful taste of champagne is attributed to a balance of warm, sunny days for rich flavour and cool nights for a crisp feeling. However, as climate change progresses, the threat to these cool nights could impact the unique taste of champagne.
The changing climate puts grape growers in a challenging position, forcing them to decide between early harvesting to prevent overripening or risking overripening on the vine to maintain acidity, leading to a fundamental trade-off for desired flavours.
In response to climate challenges, Will Kletter predicts that some grape growers will need to relocate their production northward to capture colder weather, pointing to an increased investment in sparkling products in regions like the UK.
The shift in production locations may bring about a significant economic change. Currently, champagne primarily comes from one region in France, and any shift in production locations could impact the economy and culture built around this tradition.
Will Kletter also emphasized the economic significance of champagne production in France, where French wine accounts for $9.6 billion in exports, representing 16% of global wine sales. The French economy, particularly in the Champagne region, heavily depends on this industry.
Extreme weather events in 2021 led to the smallest champagne harvest since 1957. Will Kletter pointed out that half a million champagne industry employees and 24 million annual tourists in the region may face challenges in preserving the economy and culture built around champagne.
ClimateAI employs AI technology through its platform, ClimateLens, to work with clients in forecasting and ensuring food crop resiliency for up to 50 years into the future. This technology helps growers make strategic decisions about where and when to plant, considering the changing climate and potential risks to grape varieties.