Belgian winegrowers in the Walloon region are facing challenges due to climate change, with rising temperatures affecting their vineyards. Despite an increase in wine production in Belgium, the changing climate brings both benefits and obstacles to winemakers. Climate change is leading to extreme weather events like floods, rain, and frost, making it difficult for vineyards to thrive. Insects and diseases previously rare in northern Europe are also becoming more common, posing a threat to the vines.
To combat these challenges, winegrowers are adapting their techniques. For example, the owner of Château Bon Baron in Wallonia is implementing sustainable practices like spreading clay on the vines and thinning out leaves to protect them from water and heat stress. These changes help create a thicker skin on the grapes, reducing the risk of insect attacks and diseases, as well as protecting against heat.
Climate change is also affecting the timing of the harvest, with temperatures increasing and the harvest season starting earlier than before. This poses challenges for predicting optimal harvest times. Despite these challenges, winegrowers in Belgium are resilient and are finding ways to adapt to the changing climate in order to continue producing quality wine.
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