Detail of a Grapes' Leaf in a Vineyard in France

This documentation shows how France, famous for its unique wine varieties, stands to lose an important part of its cultural heritage as rising temperatures impact vineyards. Unless world leaders can ensure an ambitious deal on climate change at the upcoming United Nations summit in Copenhagen, French wines face a grim future. French wine production is a climatically sensitive endeavor and is at great risk from environmental change. For optimum quality each variety (like Chardonnay or Pinot Noir) is grown in specific regions within narrow climatic variability. But the climate is changing now. The average annual temperature has significantly increased, leading to major shifts in the wine production calendar. In 2003, many French vineyards experienced changes and the grapes produced had undesirable characteristics. Scientists predict that at the end of this century half of all summers could be like the summer of 2003.