Two lesser-known grape varieties related to Tempranillo have shown significant potential in helping Spanish winemakers adapt to climate change, according to recent research. In the future, sommeliers may be discussing Benedicto and Moribel alongside the more familiar names of Tempranillo, Graciano, and Mazuelo.
Researchers at the Institute of Vine and Wine of Castilla-La Mancha (IVICAM) discovered that Benedicto and Moribel, which are respectively a parent and a descendant of Tempranillo, are showing strong resilience under heat stress and drought conditions. The findings were supported by the Regional Institute for Agri-Food Research and Development (IRIAF), highlighting these varieties as promising candidates for climate adaptation.
Spain has been grappling with increasingly severe heat and extreme weather in recent years, bringing the urgency of climate adaptation into sharp focus. A recent study warned that as much as 90% of Spain’s traditional coastal and lowland wine regions could be at risk of disappearing by the end of the century due to excessive drought and more frequent heatwaves.
Tempranillo, renowned for its role in Spain’s top red wines, dominates over 201,000 hectares of vineyards across the country. However, climate change has increasingly challenged its cultivation. A 2022 article by María Concepción Ramos of the Universitat de Lleida and Fernando Martínez de Toda Fernández of the University of Rioja indicated that rising temperatures and water stress could cause Tempranillo’s growth cycle to advance by over 10 days during warmer years. By 2050, even with controlled emissions, this shift could be significant, leading to reduced acidity and lower concentrations of essential components like anthocyanins, potentially compromising the balance and quality of the wines.
To mitigate these effects, winemakers across Spain are adopting strategies such as planting at higher altitudes and altering pruning techniques. Concurrently, research is focused on identifying alternative clones or grape varieties that can sustain grape growing in a warming climate.
IVICAM’s research plays a crucial role in this effort. Led by Sergio Serrano Parra, whose doctoral thesis work contributed to the study, the team examined the performance of Benedicto, Moribel, and Tempranillo under extreme heat and water shortage conditions. The results showed that Benedicto outperformed Tempranillo in some qualitative aspects, positioning it as a promising alternative for future winemaking.
Moribel also stood out, particularly for its higher acidity compared to Tempranillo, which could be vital for maintaining balance in wines as the climate changes. In taste tests, both Benedicto and Moribel performed well, with tasters even preferring them over Tempranillo-based wines.
These findings suggest that Benedicto and Moribel not only have the potential to preserve but possibly enhance the quality of wines made from Tempranillo in an increasingly challenging climate.
