A senior lecturer in Climatology at the University of Tasmania has predicted that the mean growing season temperature for Victorian winegrowers could rise by four degrees by 2100.
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It is interesting that the effect this could have on wine quality was not reported or how it could be addressed.
Climate change was not directly blamed, which was refreshing so were the findings based on cyclic weather patterns such as the Indian Ocean Dipole, sea surface temperature patterns in the Indian Ocean or La Nina in the Pacific or even El Nino.
The prediction is that temperatures in the Yarra Valley could replicate those in the Swan Hill region by 2100, 80 years away, so there would be ample time to prepare. Goodness only knows what grape varieties would be popular or new ones that could emerge. All the alarmist predictions that are being made about agriculture do not take into account future management skills, advances in plant and animal breeding and processing technology advances. For all we know, wine being consumed in 80 years could be alcohol free or heavily fortified. Be assured the market will set the trend, not some academic.
ACCESS
The move by the Victorian government to allow public access to the state's riversides has predictably gained the approval of fishers but earned the ire of landholders. The truth probably lies somewhere in between. Landholders quite rightly are concerned that a few acting irresponsibly could cause havoc. The VFF has weighed in, calling for the exclusion of camping from sensitive areas, where landholders have converted their grazing license into riparian management licenses, controlled by local catchment management authorities. It is a pity that the legislation did not include a sunset clause allowing a reset after 12 months of operation. There will not be a problem with responsible fishers and understanding landowners, however, those that transgress will sully the rights of the majority.