Featured Image Credit: Pexels
Topics: Food and Drink, Climate Change
Amelia Jones
A warning has been issued to people who drink Prosecco as the future of their favourite fizzy tipple could be at risk.
The Italian sparkling wine is beloved by Brits and a go-to for when you want to knock back something a little bit fancy, but all that could be about to change.
And the bad news just keeps on coming, because Prosecco isn't the only kind of booze under threat.
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Overseas mountainside vineyards - including the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano - where the grapes are grown that go into the UK's favourite bubbly beverage are at risk, scientists have warned.
The steeply sloped sites are so challenging to harvest they're known as 'heroic' viticulture - and many have been named UNESCO world heritage sites.
The challenging-to-harvest vineyards are bathed in sunshine for longer during the day due to their elevation, but don't overheat like lowland sites.
The result is 'balanced' wine with a 'sense of freshness', the scientists said.
These favourable conditions are key to producing some of the aromas in your favourite vino, by producing blueberry-sized grapes with more tannin-packed skins that produce punchy flavours.
But research has revealed that after generations of wine-making tradition, extreme weather caused by climate change could put an end to our ability to quaff Prosecco.
In the near future, farmers and scientists will have to work side by side to protect wine-making across Europe.
The research, published in the July edition of iScience, warned that drought, soil degradation and 'slope failures' currently plaguing European counties like Spain, Italy and Portugal are major concerns.
Prosecco production is already struggling to keep up with drinkers as demand has gone up a third in just five years.
Other bevvies including burgundy, grand cru and cabernet sauvignon could also be in trouble.
The scientists from the University of Padova warned of the threat from the 'rural exodus and a gradual abandonment of mountain landscapes' - which have been happening for the past half century.
The lead author of the study, Dr Paolo Tarolli, said: "The risk is not only losing an agricultural product or seeing a landscape change, negatively impacting the local economy.
"The risk is losing entire communities' history and their cultural roots."
He continued: "The great effort required to manage these areas reinforces the specific human-environment connection.
"This is why they are recognised as cultural uniquenesses of primary historical and social importance, where traditional knowledge is still the determining element."
He concluded: "The new generation is unwilling to continue working under extreme conditions if economic benefits are insignificant."
Possible solutions to prevent the environment deteriorating include growing grass between the vines to hold soil and rainwater in place on the hillside, and tanks to collect runoff.
On the flip side, recent research labelled, Climate Resilience in the UK Wine Sector, is showing heatwaves suit the growth of wine grapes on UK soil.
It suggests that higher UK temperatures will boost grape sugar content, quality and ABV, meaning the UK could become a real contender in the world of wine.