Marlborough could be growing merlot and cabernet sauvignon instead of sauvignon blanc by 2030 if climate change trends remain as they are, a leading New Zealand scientist says.
Dr Jim Salinger gave an audience at the Marlborough Research Centre a glimpse yesterday of what conditions may be like in Marlborough based on scientific data.
He was joined by journalist Rod Oram, who spoke about how businesses can still profit from climate change.
Dr Salinger said climate data showed Marlborough's average temperature had increased by 0.9 degree Celsius since the 1930s.
As a result there have been fewer frosts in Blenheim and the Waihopai Valley. Between the 1930s and 2009 the number decreased to fewer than 20 per year from 50 in Blenheim and to 37 from about 45 in the Waihopai Valley.
Dr Salinger said the average temperature in Marlborough would increase 1C by 2030 and by 2C by 2090 and that the west of Marlborough would become wetter while the east would be more prone to drought.
He said the varieties of grape would migrate south because of increasing temperatures around the country, and the Marlborough climate would be more suitable for grapes such as merlot and cabernet sauvignon.
He said the acidity of the world's oceans would increase slightly by the end of the century, which would affect Marlborough's aquaculture industry.
Mr Oram said climate change presented opportunities for New Zealand, especially in the primary sector, but that a constructive approach was needed.
He said some in the wine industry marketed their products to environment-conscious consumers by promoting themselves as low-carbon producers, but that sheep and beef farmers were behind the wine industry in this respect.
- The Marlborough Express
SIMON WONG
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