Takes on the rising temperatures in Greek Vineyards. Blessing or Armageddon? This presentation is owned and copywritten by Ted Lelekas, 2013

1. ConVinium
Changing temperatures in Greece's Vineyards.
Blessing or Armageddon?
Ted Lelekas | Wine Writer & Blogger | Athens, Greece
October 2013

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The Hard Facts

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Experts warn that by 2031, the situation in Greece will be the
following:
- Maximum temperature will rise by 2-4ᵒC
- Rainfalls will decrease by 10%
- Agricultural production will require 40% more water
- Heatwave periods (>35ᵒC) will increase by 30 days annually
- Dry spells will increase by 1 week annually
- The forest fire alert period will increase by 2-6 weeks annually
Source: ClimateChange GR

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What the people on the ground say

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George Palivos, owner and winemaker,
Domaine Palivos, Nemea
“Even though logic dictates that temperatures are rising, as the
global warming phenomenon is irrefutable, my gut feeling (and our
empirical evidence so far) points to the fact that our climate is
actually moving in circles. For instance, in 2013, in Nemea, we had
the coolest summer in a long time. In fact, this is exactly what I’m
talking about: every time we’re struck by a “freak” phenomenon
(hail, frost, etc), we always go back to the last time it happened”.

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Nana Chrisochoou, winemaker,
Estate Chrisochoou, Naoussa
“In the last 4 years we have observed a temperature increase by
1ᵒC, and a decrease in rainfalls by 10-15% across our vineyards. This
is expected to continue for the next 40 years. Higher temperature
can contribute to the faster ripening of grapes, leading to higher
sugar concentration and, consequently, alcohol degrees, however
they can have negative effects on plant productivity and fruit
quality. In addition, the temperature increase seems to be
generating new breeds of insects and diseases that are bound to
affect viticulture - the same applies to the rising needs for water”.

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Nikos Karatzas, general manager and winemaker,
Pavlidis Estate, Drama
“What we seem to be observing is not necessarily a pattern of
temperature increases, but more a series of anomalies. For
instance, 2011 was a relatively cool year, 2012 was hotter, with the
temperature reaching its peak in the summer months, while 2013
was warm throughout. In my time at Pavlidis Estate, since 2005, we
have seen no extreme phenomena, but we have definitely seen
harvest starting earlier by as much as 20 days. This is bound to
affect the vine's natural function, as all stages in the plant's lifecycle
after flowering seem to be becoming faster and shorter. For us this
is a wake-up call to start getting used to the new circumstances,
with more working hands, precision in timings and extra care to
avoid water stress by daily checks and irrigation according to the
RDI (Regulated Deficit Irrigation) standard”.

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Emmanouela Paterianaki, winemaker,
Domaine Paterianaki, Crete
“In the last 8 years the temperature rise is evident and affects both
viticulture and wine-making. Our main observations are the
following: a) decrease in production, as the vines become more and
more stressed in the summer months, b) increased need for drip
irrigation to avoid stress and careful pruning to retain moisture, c)
increase in alcohol levels by c. 1.5 degrees in white wines and c. 1
degree in reds. Native varieties (Vidiano, Kotsifali etc) seem to be
affected less by this phenomenon, while international varieties
(Chardonnay, Syrah) have a more serious issue. We are a 100%
organic winery and we believe that organic viticulture and
minimum or zero human intervention on the ecosystem will be part
of the solution to this problem”.

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Katerina Bosinaki, owner,
Bosinakis Winery, Mantinia
“We haven't noticed dramatic temperature changes in the last
years. We are, however, concerned by extreme phenomena such as
frost and hail. Our main observations are a) shorter harvest
periods, b) an early start pattern in harvest, c) fewer rainfalls and d)
rising alcohol levels in wine. We continue to benefit from the
significant difference in temperature between day and night and
hope that, if change continues to come gradually, both the vineyard
itself and our viticulture practices will be able to adapt. Still, we
remain alert and certainly concerned”.

10. ConVinium
George Salpiggidis, head of viticulture,
Tsantali
“The fact that average temperature is rising is indisputable.
However, it is essential to take into account other important
parameters as well, such as the number of high-temperature
(>35ᵒC) days per year, as well as the distribution of rainfall during
germination, the availability of water for irrigation and the
adaptation of viticulture practices in order to balance - if not
capitalise on - the temperature increase. The main observation in
our own vineyards is harvest time, which in certain cases is brought
forward by as much as 10 days. As a result, at fruit level, we see an
increased concentration in sugars, which is not, however, in balance
with phenolic ripeness”.

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Kostas Bakasietas, viticulture researcher and consultant,
VNB
“The climate in Greece, as in the rest of the world, is changing. It
started in the early 2000s and will continue going forward. We
should be expecting abrupt weather changes, increased
temperatures in the summer, intense but brief rainfalls and other
extreme phenomena. Vineyard irrigation is mandatory throughout
Greece and harvest will come earlier every year. Red varieties will
produce rounder and smoother wines, white varieties will have
lower aromatic intensity and acidity”.

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Kostas Bakasietas, viticulture researcher and consultant,
VNB
“The good news for Greece: our geography will help us. We may be
a warm country, but our mountainous terrain and the sea that will
surround us will help control temperatures and retain moisture. In
addition, Greek (as with most Southern European) varieties, will
not be affected due to small berry size and thousands of years of
evolution in a hot climate ecosystem”.

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Kostas Bakasietas, viticulture researcher and consultant,
VNB
What needs to be done:
- New plantings with rootstock that can withstand drought
- Selection of grape varieties durable to high temperatures
- Smaller yields so as not to exhaust vines
- Severe pruning to keep the vines lean
- Irrigation
- Sparse planting in the vineyard to ensure more moisture per
plant
- Organic viticulture to maintain the soil productive and effective

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Conclusions

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- Changes started, effectively, in the early 2000s
- It’s still early to draw conclusions on what is to come
- Data is not yet definitive and predictions are far from reliable
- There is concern across the Greek wine sector and people are
monitoring changes and phenomena
- In the short term, climate changes may be beneficial
- In the long term , repercussions may be mild, or even positive, if
we adapt viticulture practices and respect the environment more

16. ConVinium
This is a battle that can be won,
mainly through adapting or changing
practices in the vineyard

17. ConVinium
Thank you!