Temperature anomalies will lead to a decrease in grape yields in Crimea

Early spring abnormally high temperatures in March — April 2024 of up to 30 degrees, followed by a sharp drop in temperature and frosts down to minus 4.5 degrees during the formation of grape inflorescences, had a negative impact on the physiology of grape plants. The plants were under stress, which in the long run will lead to a decrease in yields in the region as a whole.— reported the Ministry of Agriculture of the region.

It was noted that weather conditions directly affect the quality of wine products, including abnormally high temperatures in June — July 2024, accompanied by a lack of precipitation. At hot temperatures significantly exceeding 30 degrees, all vine growth processes slow down during any growing season, and the weight of the bunches naturally decreases due to lack of moisture. On the one hand, high temperatures and consistently hot weather reduce the level of epiphytoty in the vineyard and minimize the growth of fungal diseases such as mildew, oidium, and gray rot.

High temperature during the formation of the harvest in late summer and early autumn also affects the organoleptic and physicochemical properties of the berries, that is, it affects their color and contributes to the accumulation of a higher sugar content, and also promotes good ripening of the vine. As the ministry noted, potentially all this will particularly affect champagne varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot noir, etc.) as well as dessert wines (white Kokur, Bastardo Magarachsky, muscats).

According to Crimean Statistics, the gross grape harvest for the 2023 harvest amounted to 115.22 thousand tons. To date, according to operational information from the administrations of cities and regions of the Republic of Crimea, 1.36 thousand tons of table grapes have been harvested from an area of ​​0.54 thousand hectares, and 89.9 thousand tons of technical grapes have been harvested from an area of ​​14.47 thousand hectares. The 2024 grape harvest began in the second ten days of August and is planned to be completed in December.

source: TASS