Preparing winemakers for climate change through cloning – ABC Online

Australia's winemakers are uniquely placed with grape types which, if cloned, could challenge established varieties in major markets such as the USA.

That is the view of Primary Research Scientist for Viticulture at South Australia's Research Development Institute Michael McCarthy.

He has been involved in the testing of cloned grapes from warm regions.

This is to gauge how they will perform in areas predicted to be warmer in 50 years' time due to climate change.

"Maybe the rest of the world might be more interested in some of our material," Dr McCarthy said.

"We have clones that just don't exist in the rest of the world anymore because our planting is clean.

"Phylloxera is not an issue, root-borne virus transmission is not an issue. We have planting material in Australia that is probably unique to the rest of the world."

Dr McCarthy was in Orange in the central west of New South Wales discussing the issue with vignerons operating in the area known for its cool climate wines.

Grapes cloned from one area of Australia may perform just as well in another region, although have different characteristics even within the new area.

"[We are] understanding how wine styles within regions may change as that region warms up going into the future," he said.

"What we are trying to do is identify sites across Australia that have the same clones in common.

"We take out the clonal difference and look at the wine style from cool to hot regions.

"So if this currently cool region becomes a warm region in 50 years' time how will those wine styles change?"

The region is known for chardonnay, which is Australia's number one white wine export, despite a decline in domestic consumption in recent years.

However this has changed with chardonnay enjoying a resurgence on the home tables.

Winemakers from the Orange region pointed out that the style of wine can change just by planting vines at different heights above sea level.

President of the Orange Vigneron Association and winemaker Justin Jarrett believed lessons had been learnt from the heady days when demand for chardonnay was exceptionally high.

"When you look at the Australian wine industry we don't want to be at the bottom of the wine ladder. You want to be up the top," he said.

"You want to deliver a product that people are prepared to pay more for."

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Preparing winemakers for climate change through cloning - ABC Online