Global warming is affecting Australian wine industry

New York Times : As climate change brings higher temperatures and less rainfall to Australia, the country’s winemaking industry is being forced to adapt. Whereas some vintners have moved farther south to Tasmania, those who have chosen to remain are making changes, such as growing grape varieties that are more resistant to drought and modifying irrigation techniques to conserve water. In addition, Australian vintners are having to adjust their harvesting schedule as rising temperatures cause the fruit to ripen more quickly. To help find ways to deal with the country’s decreasing natural rainfall, the Australian government is conducting its own drought project, in which tarpaulins are put over rows of vines to test the effectiveness of drip irrigation, which wets only the plant’s roots and is intended to supplement natural rainfall.