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Cabernet Sauvignon copes better with drought and high CO2 levels in the atmosphere during climate change than Chardonnay. This has been found by California scientists in a current study. They investigated how efficiently the two grape varieties utilize the water they draw from the soil.
The researchers from San Diego State University and the University of California in Davis took cuttings of the two grape varieties from a vineyard in California's Temecula Valley. They grew the shoots in a growth chamber with two different CO2 concentrations: with the nearly natural ambient value and with a value increased by 70 percent. After eight weeks, the scientists also changed the water supply: once it remained constant at a good level, while for the other cuttings it continuously decreased over twelve days.
During the investigation, the researchers compared how the vines responded to the different environmental conditions. Key factors included gas exchange and evaporation through the leaves, as well as intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE value). The result: Cabernet Sauvignon utilizes the available water better than Chardonnay under high CO2 levels and drought. The reason: Cabernet vines release less water than Chardonnay through the leaves and maintain a more stable photosynthesis.
Higher temperatures, water scarcity, and more CO2 in the atmosphere will increasingly influence grape cultivation and wine quality in the future as climate change progresses. The study results from California show that Cabernet Sauvignon is better suited for warm and dry climates than Chardonnay. Wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon are also likely to develop more balanced in these areas than those made from Chardonnay. These findings are intended to help winemakers make future decisions regarding grape variety selection and vineyard management.
(cs / thedrinksbusiness.com / Oxford Academic)