The emblematic Climats of the Burgundy vineyard are celebrating their seventh anniversary as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A pride that animates the Burgundians but the place remains affected by global warming.
The Climats of the Burgundy vineyard are celebrating the seventh anniversary of their arrival as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 4th. Since 2015, this membership reflects a recognition of the value of wine culture in Burgundy despite global warming which threatens these plots.
Nothing to do with the weather, a climate is the term for designating a plot of vines. Each vineyard has its name, its history and a grape variety, either Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, each with a different taste. Something to delight everyone’s taste buds. The formation of these lands occurred thanks to the climatic phenomenon. For nearly 150,000 million years, it has favored the creation of clay-limestone soil. With the force of the elements, a great diversity of soils was born on a line of nearly 65 kilometers, between Dijon and Santenay.
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The atmospheric conditions and the nature of the soils allowed the 1,247 plots to develop. Man’s know-how has contributed to its growth. 2,000 years old, he is unique in the world », rejoices Bertrand Gauvrit, director of the association of Climats of the Burgundy vineyard. ” We are proud of this image », is jubilant Thiébault Huber, winegrower of Domaine Huber-Verdereau in Meursault in Côte-d’Or and president of the Confederation of Appellations and Winegrowers of Burgundy
These seven years under the UNESCO label have allowed several things, in particular to accentuate the protection of the vines and the transmission to future generations. A golden rule according to the director but also for the organization. It has also contributed to the development of hand-in-hand work between winegrowers, local authorities and the State.
But above all the maintenance of a sustainable tourist activity in the territory. “Despite times of crisis, we have been able to cope”, testifies Bertrand Gauvrit. With a multitude of walks, tourists have a choice, in particular with “the Champs-Elysées from home” : the Route des Grands Crus. It will offer the most curious exceptional panoramas crossing 38 villages with world-famous designations.
The conclusion is clear. Climate change affects vineyard plots. Drought, vine decline, hail or even frost weaken this heritage. “These are major issues. We are working on it with the Interprofessional Bureau of Burgundy Wines”assures the director of the association of the Climats of the Burgundy vineyard.
Experiments are underway so that the vines can resist climate change with natural clones of the grape varieties. Benjamin Gauvrit insists that these are not genetic experiments.
While waiting for the results of this research, winegrowers are working hard to find solutions to climate change. Like Cyprien Arlaud, winemaker in Morey-Saint-Denis. Since 2003, the winemaker has chosen todraft horses in order to plow the land of his domain. “The soils are not packed and therefore require less water”, assures the winemaker. Saving water for the domain and for the planet.
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Late pruning which fights against frost or nets on the vines to avoid damage due to hail are also solutions, testifies Thiébault Huber. He retorts: “Global warming challenges us on many technical levels, but it is absolutely necessary to preserve the image of these plots.” The preservation of the wine culture of the region is ensured to perpetuate this heritage, inscribed in the heart of the Burgundians.
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