Chile: the Country Least Affected by Global Warming (Excerpted and translated with permission from Vendimia Magazine, February 2008) Richard Smart studied agronomy and specialized in viticulture. Forty years later, this Australian winegrower has become one of the most important viticultural consultants in the world. A specialist in canopy management, Smart has visited Chile nearly a dozen times to offer support to Chilean wineries or to speak on viticulture. During his last visit he spoke with Vendimia Magazine on the future of national viticulture in the face of the imminent global climate change.**

V: What role does climate play in the vineyard?

S: A very important one, especially with respect to temperature, because it directly affects quality, which is why I am concerned about climate change and the wine industry. I’ve spoken about this before, but until recently, nobody was listening. Now that Al Gore received the Nobel Prize along with a group of scientists who study climate change, they have done a fantastic job of making people more aware of the problem.
    The effect of climate change will have many very profound implications on the wine industry. We can already see signs that this is something that is will happen not in the future, but that is already happening now.
    Of all the wine regions in the world, Chile—in my opinion—will be the one that suffers the fewest consequences. It will be the least affected country of all.

V: Why?

S: There are many reasons. One is that the Southern Hemisphere in general will be less affected. South Africa will suffer more effects, however, because it is relatively further north. Australia (except the center), New Zealand, and Chile should not be affected, except, of course, in the Andes Mountains, where there willl be less snow and therefore less water.
    It will be much more severe in the Northern Hemisphere, especially in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France, which are the world’s largest wine producers. In my opinion, it will be difficult for Europe’s traditional regions to adapt, and they will therefore lose their reputation for quality. For example: Bordeaux is very famous for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, but those varieties will no longer be appropriate for growing there in another 20 years.

V: In just 20 years?

S: In 20 years there will already be a tangible change in the world’s wine production zones. But I believe that Chile will be the least affected, which means there will be much investment in your country as a result.

V: Do you think it is possible to stop climate change? Or at least slow it down?

S: That depends on the world’s governments.

V: But is it possible?

S: Let’s hope so.


** This article is an excerpt from a longer exclusive interview with Vendimia Magazine, which is the official medium of the Corporación Chilena del Vino.
Vendimia Magazine, February 2008, Year 10, Nº 62,  pp: 22-23)