Climate Variability Links to Changes in Rioja Wine (Spain)

Abstract

Abstract Production, quality, chemical compounds and phenology of the Rioja wine (Spain) are analyzed regarding the recent regional climate evolution for the period 1993–2017, combining data from DOCa Rioja and the wine cellar “Marqués de Riscal” with meteorological and remote sensing data. The main outcomes are an increase of alcohol content and pH and a reduction of acidity. Those trends are correlative to phenological changes such as the advance of the grape ripening and a reduction of leaf cover, consistent with the expected effects of a generalized warming during the growing season. Besides, a deeper insight in to the role of the monthly climate anomalies highlights the relevant role of May, as a key month for the success of the harvest, since it coincides with the period between budbreak and bloom, and related to the Eastern Atlantic teleconnection. A possible link between regional spring-time weather conditions with tropical climate variability is also considered.