Global warming is leaving a discernible mark on wine, as rising temperatures transform grape-growing conditions across the world. A comprehensive study led by researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) has found that temperatures during the growing season have significantly increased in nearly all major winegrowing regions, altering the way grapes develop—and ultimately how wine tastes.
The research, one of the most expansive to date, analyzed data from viticultural zones on five continents, covering over 500 grape varieties. On average, these regions have warmed by the equivalent of nearly 100 additional growing degree days (GDD), a measure used to quantify the cumulative heat exposure critical for vine growth and fruit ripening.
Europe has experienced the most dramatic warming, with some areas recording temperature increases of up to 2.5°C since 1980. According to Dr. Elizabeth Wolkovich, the study’s senior author and associate professor in UBC’s faculty of forestry, such shifts are directly affecting harvest dates and grape ripening, which in turn influences wine flavor profiles.
Unlike earlier studies limited to specific countries or grape types, this research incorporated a broad scope of climate indicators, including extreme heat events, seasonal temperature shifts, and winter temperatures. The result is one of the most detailed insights yet into how climate change is reshaping the global wine landscape.
One particularly concerning trend highlighted by the study is the rise in extreme heat events—days where temperatures exceed 35°C. Parts of eastern and western Europe now see at least one more such day per growing season compared to a few decades ago. While seemingly minor, this increase poses a serious threat to vineyards already nearing their thermal limits.
“This creates substantial stress for vines and challenges traditional grape cultivation, especially in hot-climate regions like northern Africa and western Asia,” said Dr. Victor van der Meersch, a study co-author and postdoctoral researcher at UBC. Higher temperatures can exacerbate drought conditions, increase wildfire risk, and push grapevines into stress, undermining both yield and quality.
The study also underscores regional disparities in how climate change is unfolding. While northern Africa and western Asia have seen sharp rises in average temperatures and growing degree days, the surge in extreme heat events has been more pronounced in southern and western Europe—up to five times more than in 1980.
Beyond daytime temperatures, warmer winters and nights are shifting the lifecycle of grapevines. Global winter temperatures have climbed by approximately 1°C, with Oceania and parts of central and eastern Asia experiencing some of the most significant increases. These shifts are altering key phenological stages such as budburst and harvest timing, which are critical to maintaining grape quality.
In response, vineyards are beginning to adapt through both short-term measures and strategic long-term planning. Growers are increasingly turning to drought-tolerant rootstocks and experimenting with grape varieties better suited to hotter climates. Many are also modifying vineyard practices, including changes to pruning schedules and earlier harvests.
However, adapting grape varieties is not always straightforward, particularly in regions with deep-rooted preferences for specific types. “We need greater varietal diversity,” said Dr. Wolkovich. “It’s not just about selecting heat-tolerant grapes, but understanding when they grow and ripen—timing is everything.”
Technology is playing a crucial role in helping vineyards adjust. Tools such as soil sensors, satellite imagery, and localized weather stations are enabling growers to make data-driven decisions around irrigation, pest management, and harvest timing. Still, experts caution that innovation alone is not enough.
“This is not the end of winemaking, but it is a significant turning point,” Wolkovich added. “The future of wine—its type, its quality—will be shaped by the actions we take now in vineyards and, more importantly, by global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
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