Viticulture sectors in Spain and France launch climate adaptation projects

European viticulture sectors are launching new initiatives to combat the effects of climate change on wine production.

In Spain, the Catalan Wine Cluster, INNOVI, is coordinating three supra-regional projects—ECO-UVA, PENVITIS+, and REGEVIT—funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. With a combined budget exceeding 1.6 million euros, these projects aim to reduce carbon footprints, minimize pesticide use, and integrate digital technologies such as autonomous vehicles and UV-C light treatments to enhance sustainability.

In France, research institutions in Bordeaux have established Oenoledge, a joint laboratory located at the Institute of Vine and Wine Sciences (ISVV). The laboratory, a collaboration between the University of Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, Bordeaux INP, and Biolaffort, focuses on identifying specific microorganisms and yeast strains. The goal is to manage fermentation processes to mitigate the impact of rising temperatures, which typically increase sugar accumulation and alcohol content while reducing acidity in grapes.