Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:42p.m.
About 1000 winemakers in Paris staged an organised demonstration on Friday in support of the forthcoming climate conference in Copenhagen.
Taking one minute out from their wine trade fair, the French winemakers tapped their bottles in unison to create a loud warning about the consequences of global warming.
The winemakers also wanted to draw attention to the ill-effects rising temperatures will have on the livelihoods of winegrowers.
Climate change has sped up harvests in Burgundy, altered the taste of Alsatian wines and disrupted hydration patterns of grapes grown along France's Mediterranean coast, according to an industry expert.
Michel Issaly, President of Vigneron Independent, a wine growers association, said the economic stakes were high.
"We have a clear example of the consequences of climate change. The temperature has risen, the vineyards are even able to grow in England. They have started creating some vineyards, and little by little we are realising that they are lasting longer because of the favourable conditions for the development of vineyard," he said.
If temperatures continue to rise, grapes like the Pinot Noir, which don't like too much sunshine, could disappear from a large portion of Burgundy, over the next 20 to 30 years, Issaly said.
French winegrowers are also facing tough competition from wines produced in countries such as South Africa and Australia.
In addition, the global economic crisis has made many wine aficionados more cost-conscious by putting downward pressure on prices.
AP