The President of the "Wine Academy of Spain", Pancho Campo, will be participating within the frame of FENAVIN 2007, to take place from May 7th to the 10th at the Ciudad Real Trade Fair Pavilion

30.03.2007 | 

On the upcoming May 10th the President of the "Wine Academy of Spain", Pancho Campo, will be participating at the National Trade Fair on Wine, to take place from May 7th to the 10th at the Ciudad Real Trade Fair Pavilion. He will be participating in the conference "Impact of the Climate Change on the Wine Industry". During this conference Pancho Campo will be commenting on the results obtained through the investigation works covering how the climate change is affecting the global wine-producing industry and in particular how it is affecting Spain.

Pancho Campo and the Wine Academy have put great interest into this phenomenon. In fact, the thesis that the Academy's President will be presenting to the Institute of Masters of Wine in order to become the first Spanish Master of Wine is focused on the impacts of the climate change on the wine-producing industry, the same based on an extensive study that is taking place in the area of El Penedés.

For the second global meeting on the climate change and wine, Pancho Campo has obtained support from the OIV (International Organization of Vine and Wine) and the Ministry of the Environment. He has also insured participation of leading scientists and winery owners from the most important wine-producing regions in the world.

SPAIN & PORTUGAL, THE TWO COUNTRIES IN THE EUROPEAN UNION AFFECTED THE MOST

According to Pancho Campo "Spain and Portugal are the two countries in the European Union affected the most by the climate change. The effects can already be observed in Europe in the shape of storms, flooding, droughts and other extreme meteorological conditions, which are increasingly more frequent. These effects represents a great burden on the economy, although this phenomena, and in particular the global warming it involves, is particularly affecting the Iberian Peninsula and Western Russia, the same according to conclusions outlined in a report issued by the European Environment Agency".

"Last year I had the chance to visit many of Spain's wine-producing regions and talk with many of the winemakers and the opinion that the climate is changing is practically unanimous. Crops are earlier every year, there is more drought, and increased alcoholic degrees and we have to handle the problem involved with acidity. The most serious problem is admitting that the change is actually taking place, despite the fact that the entire sector is quite aware that something is going on with the climate and even harder still is studying the problem in detail so that we can take measures", he explains.

The President of the Wine Academy informs, "traditionally it has been considered that ideal areas for wine production are located between the 30th and 50th parallels in both hemispheres. This situation is changing and now some quality wines are being produced in traditionally cold and humid areas such as England; while on the contrary, the warmer areas are encountering more difficulties to cultivate the same grapes. The tendency will have to be towards varietals, clones or stock that is more resistant to the new climate conditions. We will now see the introduction of new conduction and irrigation systems. Hereinafter crops will involve a restructuring of harvesting techniques, as is likewise the case with treatments and corrections that take place in the winery. Use of apparatus such as those corresponding to inverse osmosis, crioextraction and chilling rooms will also be increased".

SOLUTIONS TO THE IMPACT OF THE CLIMATE CHANGE

According to Campo solutions to minimize the impact of the climate change include diverse approximations. "Related scientists and organizations must carry out extensive and serious studies, establishing clear periods for localized action, adequately informing politicians and governments about these phenomenon and of course there must be a joint international action. The technology we currently have available must be used to address the problem, the same in search of increased effectiveness in energetic systems, maximum reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, designing new fuels and promoting recycling, reforestation, …".

"To adapt to the situation, the international industry must invest in new technologies that mitigate the effects of the climate change and, at an economic level, incentive plans and tariff reductions must be developed to promote this adaptation. Politicians, scientists and economists must coordinate efforts. The population must be educated and information and awareness campaigns about the problem and its solutions must be launched. At an individual level, improved use and savings in energy in the home must be encouraged, promoting use of fuels such as electricity and solar panels. And public transport means must be promoted as well, in particular those that do not consume hydrocarbons", he concludes.

CANDIDATE TO THE PRESTIGIOUS TITLE OF MASTER OF WINE 2007

Pancho Campo has coursed viticultural and wine marketing studies at the prestigious UC Davis. He is one of the only two Spanish candidates opting to the prestigious title of Master of Wine of 2007 and he writes articles on wine for numerous publications, specifically prestigious magazines such as Australia & New Zealand Wine Industry Journal. His contrasted opinion has also been included in stories and documentaries produced by the BBC or Times. He has taken courses in Bordeaux, London and Austria. He is also the professor of courses imparted at the WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) in Spain and founder of the International Wine Symposium.

He has also founded the first worldwide meeting on Global Warming and Wine; the Madrid Wine Festival and the Barcelona Wine Festival. On top of this he has also organized the 2nd Global Warming and Wine Conference, which counts with Al Gore's participation and support from the OIV and the Ministry of the Environment.

THE WINE ACADEMY

TWA is an organization dedicated to training and qualifying professionals in the wine industry and it is the official representative of the WSET for Spain. Technicians from Regulator Boards and Wineries attend his courses, as is likewise the case with producers, marketing and export personnel, sommeliers, etc. He organizes the events described below and he is a habitual collaborator of Regulator Boards, such as the ones for Jerez, Ribera del Duero, Rías Baixas, Somontano or Ribera del Guadiana, and in firms such as Bodegas Miguel Torres, Castillo de Perelada, Codorniú or Allied Domecq.