China intrigued by wine made in Italy and climate change
Climate change is at the heart of the interests of all nations in the world – says journalist Li Yaoyang – water shortage endangers all production. To make the Chinese understand the seriousness of the phenomenon, we want to be inspired by Italian innovations, we came to Sicily because in China they greatly appreciate Italian techniques and agriculture, here high quality is produced. It is therefore very interesting to reveal in China what is happening to the Sicilian vineyards, to explain the impact of the most extreme events on the culture and on the important production of Italian wine, we will show what is the evolution of the research which safeguard the future of the enogastronomic heritage of the Bel Paese.
By studying our territory – explains the president of Colomba Bianca Dino Taschetta – we develop its productivity, we take care of it using advanced technologies, implementing sustainable strategies and practicing organic farming. To continue producing valuable wine, it is necessary to know the resources of the soil and protect the collection of rainwater in order to benefit from it when needed. We often think the opposite, but Sicily has a higher rate of precipitation than other Italian regions. When it rains so much it is fundamental to cover every drop of water, it is a precious resource and we cannot lose millions of hectoliters of water. To avoid suffering from summer drought, it must be harvested and guaranteed to the vines during dry periods.
Being located in the center of the Mediterranean – highlighted Mattia Filippi, wine consultant and founder of Uva Sapiens – Sicily has suffered much less from climate change than other territories in Italy and Europe, we have experienced events extreme climatic conditions but, so far, with limited repercussions. In Sicily, there has already been a natural reorganization, there is no longer the productivity of 30 years ago: today the Sicilian vines that count have their roots only in the most suitable areas of the ‘island. It is certain that research and innovation will best support their productive development.”
According to experts, areas that historically have no history of cultivation will be the most problematic. Therefore, in order to guarantee the authority of the labels and the future of quality wine, it is fundamental to carry out studies in order to choose carefully where to maintain and develop the cultivation of the vine, favoring only excellent selections and territories with an appropriate history. It takes just as much foresight to manage resources, primarily water. Excellent wine is the result of a combination of tradition and innovation. Dino Taschetta, president of Colomba Bianca, has been active since 1970 and has contributed to the transformation of wine in Sicily, investing in the sustainability of vineyards and organic reconversion. Maintaining historic cultivars and updating them with a vision of modern agriculture is challenging. It was harvested by Colomba Bianca which, to successfully achieve its objectives, did not limit itself to measuring the quantity and quality of the grapes harvested and vinified, nor to only observing the well-being of the vines. The key to success lies in the maintenance of the territory, the application of technologies to production needs and soil monitoring. The more efficient the soil, that is to say it is rich in organic matter and responds well to water absorption, the more promising it will be to bet on new investments.
