Europe Heatwave Sparks Record-Early Harvest

Europe's heatwaves have led to record-early harvests at wineries, with Catalonia recording its earliest grape harvest ever. Gramona winery began this year's harvest on July 22, several weeks ahead of the traditional August timeline. The varieties currently being harvested are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, both used in the production of sparkling wines.

Average temperatures in Barcelona during July were 5.8 C above the historic norm from 1961-1990, causing grapes to ripen faster and forcing winemakers to adapt to the new climate conditions. To mitigate the effects of the heat, labourers at Gramona winery have started gathering the crop before dawn, at 3am, to work in cooler temperatures and ensure the grapes arrive at the winery in optimal condition.

The heatwave has also affected winemakers in Italy, with Berlucchi winery beginning its harvest on August 2, 10 days earlier than last year. The winery is producing Italy's prized Franciacorta sparkling wine, and the early harvest has been caused by scorching temperatures that have brought the fruit to maturation earlier than ever.

In Hungary, the Villány wine region is expecting a harvest 30% smaller than previous years due to drought. Nearly 89% of Hungary's territory is being affected by moderate or severe drought, with prolonged heatwaves and scarce rainfall pushing groundwater levels to critical lows. The drought has caused grape bunches to shrivel, and the quality of the grape will be largely unaffected, but the quantity ready for harvest will be significantly reduced.

## Why it matters The record-early harvests in Europe are a result of the intense summer heat and drought, which are being fueled by climate change. The adjustments being made by winemakers, such as harvesting at night, are necessary to adapt to the new climate conditions. The impact of the heatwave and drought on the wine industry is significant, with many winemakers expecting smaller yields and earlier harvests.

The stakes are high for the wine industry, as the quality and quantity of the grapes are being affected by the heatwave and drought. The industry is being forced to adapt to the new climate conditions, and the changes being made will have a significant impact on the production of wine in Europe. As the climate continues to change, the wine industry will need to continue to adapt and find new ways to mitigate the effects of the heatwave and drought.