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Bordeaux should diversify to face climate change

Published:  23 July, 2008

Bordeaux should explore the possibility of switching grape varietals in facing climate change.

This was the conclusion of Bruno Prats, winemaker and former owner of Chateau Cos D'Estournel, and Bordeaux winemaker Jacques Lurton.

Both men raised the opportunities available by adapting grape varietals in the region whilst participating in a group panel discussion at Barcelona's Wine and Climate Change Conference 2008 today (February 16).

Prats said: "When facing the issue of climate change the strength of Bordeaux is in the possibility of changing grape varieties. Petit Verdot is the grape with the most potential in this regard."

He added that there were "many possibilities in Bordeaux" with Malbec also playing an important part in the discussion.

Lurton echoed these comments saying: "Petit Verdot and Malbec allow us to explore new opportunities with regard to climate change."

The wine industry's adaptation to climate change has been an ongoing issue across the two-day conference.

Pascal Chatonnet, oenologist and consultant winemaker, said the choice of variety would be a crucial one with winemakers now having to think 25 to 30 years ahead while viticulture specialist Dr Richard Smart went one step further calling for "an international breeding effort to develop grape varieties well suited to heat".

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