Cyprus grape helps Australian vineyards cope with extreme heat and use less water
Australian grape growers are experimenting with the Xynisteri grape variety from Cyprus to combat extreme heat and water scarcity. This ancient Mediterranean vine has shown remarkable drought tolerance, offering a potential solution for vineyards facing climate-driven environmental challenges.
Why it matters
Adapting agricultural practices to climate change is critical for the long-term viability of the global wine industry and food security in arid regions.
When temperatures climb above 45 degrees Celsius and water is one of the most expensive inputs on a farm, survival may depend on looking backward. According to ABC News Information and Services, in South Australia's Riverland, growers are looking to a grape with thousands of years of history in the Mediterranean for a possible answer to Australia's hotter, drier future. Xynisteri, a venerable white grape of Cyprus, is proving remarkably resilient in conditions which are putting increasing stress on conventional wine grapes. Some growers using the variety have cut water consumption by as much as 75 per cent, with the vines continuing to withstand extreme heat.
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