Porto and New York: Different Expectations for Climate Change and Wine Tourism

Abstract

This paper examines current research into the impact of climate change on wine production and wine tourism, as well as reporting on a set of interviews with wine professionals in the Douro valley of Portugal and the Finger Lakes region of the United States. The literature review and interviews are used to assess the likely impact of climate change on wine production in each region and the expected ability of wine makers to maintain traditional wine styles and grape choices in the face of changing climate. It also explores the possible relationship between traditional wine styles and wine tourism in new and old-world regions. This paper's conclusions suggest the possibility that changes in a traditional wine style would affect wine tourism in a given region. They also conclude that climate change is already affecting traditional wine styles, particularly in Old- world regions of Europe and that wine makers may eventually be unable to sustain a wone style in any region.