A systematic assessment of climate change’s impact on major wine-grape varieties

Wine-growing regions have been, or are currently, adapting to climate change, as evidenced by the changing selection and production of wine varieties. This study provides an assessment of past, present and predicted climate affecting the production and suitability of wine varieties across the warmer climate of the Hunter Valley and cooler climate of Northern Tasmania. The research uses a systematic literature review to analyse peer-reviewed studies concerning climate change’s impact on the suitability, production, and viticulture of these climactic regions. Three bioclimatic indices—the Huglin Index (HI), Growing Degree Days (GDD), and Extreme Hot Days (EHD)—are calculated from climate records and predictions to explain how specific varieties have, or may be, affected by climate trends. The study reveals that the Hunter Valley wine-growing region is susceptible to a changing climate that may be reflected within current production data and wine varieties. Tasmanian wine-growing regions have a more secure future when assessed against the climate record and modelling. To validate current data, future research is needed to integrate socio-economic and environmental factors to reveal the capacities and adaptability of traditional and newer wine-growing regions and how they may use novel grape varieties to maintain viable wine-growing regions across Australia.