The influence of recent climate change on wine regions in Quebec, Canada

Abstract

Intensely cold winters and a relatively short growing season limit the types of wine grapes grown in the southern Quebec cool climate wine region. The wine producers in the Monteregie and Estrie regions have historically been limited to growing cold-resistant hybrid varieties. Recently, numerous studies have documented the existence of climate change, especially global warming. This study uses graphical and statistical methods to examine the climate of the Monteregie and Estrie regions over a 31-year period in order to determine if recent regional climate change is having an effect on the local wine industry. Four principal climatic factors are analysed: annual number of intensely cold days, mean minimum growing season temperature, number of growing season frost-free days and number of growing season days. In southern Quebec, recent climate change, regional warming, is changing the wine grape-growing environment. The amelioration of winter temperatures and lengthening of the growing season is allowing the introduction of the less cold hardy Vitis vinifera varieties. Continued warming will allow more widespread use of these varieties.

Keywords:

• climate change
• new world
• wine
• Canada
• climate
• cool climate
• vine adaptation
• perceived quality
• resource management
• quality
• cabernet franc
• chardonnay
• riesling

Acknowledgements

I acknowledge the assistance of three important people who helped in the preparation of this paper: Kerry Hull assisted with the creation of the graphs; Tim Doherty created and drew the map; Donald Burn supplied the Mann–Kendall statistical program. Thank you to all three. I also thank the anonymous reviewers who helped improve the quality of this paper.