A vital necessity

While guests to the County enjoy the recent hot sunny days at our beaches and parks, local farmers and produce growers are worried by the lack of precipitation— which has already affected the hay harvest—and its effect on this year’s crops. Winter fodder for animals will be in short supply and many other crops will suffer to some degree if we do not get significant rain within a week. Global warming requires growers to continually adapt to these new conditions (including an expected increase in carbon dioxide).

Grapevines, of course, are also responsive to changes in their environment. As the timing and severity of rainfalls become more erratic, too much precipitation will cause soil erosion—and too little will stress the vines. Late frosts, caused by the unpredictability of climate change (as seen last year), will reduce or even wipe out the year’s crops. It takes at least an additional season for the vine to regain its health and vigour after such stress.

More significantly, a sustained temperature increase will most likely redefine wine regions, which will expand further north each decade, and at the same time, support more heat-specific varietals. When temperatures exceed the norm of the annual grapevine growth cycle, there are changes in the phenolic content that influence the taste, colour and mouth-feel of wine. Daytime temperatures of 30 celsius will have a detrimental effect on our grapes and, if temperatures were to reach 35C, it would further degrade or even stall the development of phenolic content.

Degradation of grape quality is a First World problem, however, since wine is a luxury and not a necessity of life. On the other hand, water is a necessity for healthy food crops and, as an unassuming beverage, is guaranteed to slake a thirst.

THIS WEEK’S PICK
This week, I want to introduce you to a simply sublime wine crafted by Vida Zalnieriunas. By Chadsey’s Cairns 2014 Chenin Blanc once again excels—from its burst of ripe pear on the nose, to the silky mouth feel, followed by a brilliant clean that resets the palate for another sip. This absolute gem is crafted from 100 per cent estate-grown fruit (as, indeed, are all their wines).

Available for $26 at their tasting room located on Loyalist Parkway west of Wellington, you may imagine yourself sipping a Loire Valley Chenin Blanc (at no charge).