Wine production is all about controlling subtle variations of flavor. The effects of climate change are shaking up the industry with warmer temperatures that change wine flavor, wildfires that turn grapes smoky, and sudden frosts that can entirely ruin a harvest. This week, The Sweaty Penguin explores the effect of climate change on the rapidly globalizing wine industry, and what needs to be done to ensure you can still buy your favorite wines in the future.
With special guest Dr. Michelle Moyer, Associate Professor of Viticulture and Enology at Washington State University.
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00:00 Start
01:16 Climate change is threatening wine
04:48 The global wine market
09:42 Grapes are sensitive to small temperature changes
14:19 Economic consequences
16:33 Floods and wildfires
18:55 Heat waves and frosts
21:32 Consumer and tourist expectations
22:13 Adapting to climate change
24:31 Economic policy options
25:38 Host Ethan Brown’s final thoughts
27:00 Introducing special guest Dr. Michelle Moyer, Associate Professor of Viticulture and Enology at Washington State University
30:18 How did the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat wave affect vineyards?
32:12 Do winegrowers notice climate change affecting their work?
35:53 How does climate change make pest control more difficult?
38:59 What should wine drinkers know that they might not already?
40:55 End credits
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Each episode of The Sweaty Penguin invites you to explore one climate change issue in depth, guided by an expert in the field. The goal? To make environmental issues less politicized and more fun, so that people of any political ideology or interest level can learn, engage, and find common ground.
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The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
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Peril and Promise is a public media initiative from The WNET Group, reporting on the human stories of climate change and its solutions. You can learn more at
Major funding for Peril and Promise is provided by Dr. P. Roy Vagelos and Diana T. Vagelos with additional funding from The Marc Haas Foundation, Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, and the Cheryl and Philip Milstein Family.