Wein: „Cool Climate? Mag ich nicht mehr hören“ – warum deutschen Winzern der heiße Sommer nützen könnte

Frau Spanier-Gillot and Mr. Spanier noted that their colleagues had already been working in the vineyards by mid-August, four weeks earlier than expected. Vineyards were reaching out on Facebook for spontaneous harvest workers to come in early. The women explained that they had anticipated this due to weather forecasts and plant development monitoring. They still had several weeks of growing time ahead of them.

Mr. Spanier stated that they had prepared for this situation by managing the vine's canopy, soil, and ripening conditions. The Zellertal region, where they operate, sits at 240 meters above sea level, where grapes ripen very late, even under these conditions. This could be advantageous, as it produces very late ripened grapes, which can be high in alcohol but may also have a bitter flavor.

The discussion touched upon the impact of drought on the region, particularly on the Rhein River, whose water levels are affected by the drought, potentially affecting cargo shipping. The women acknowledged that there might be a need for some water usage later in the year. Mr. Spanier emphasized that the vines have a natural ability to heal and adapt to their environment.

He commented that many people underestimate the resilience of plants, particularly vines, which are much more robust than people think. He mentioned that in the past, German winemakers had the misconception that the cooler climate would benefit from climate change. However, the situation is far from that now.

Mr. Spanier urged the winemakers not to focus on the "cool climate" narrative. He preferred more practical language and suggested that the emphasis should be on adapting to the changing climate rather than romanticizing the past.