Picture: for illustration purposes
Notable winemakers in Mirdita, northern Albania, are grappling with new challenges wrought by climate change, imperilling the future of the country's treasured wine-crafting industry.
These are difficult times for Albania's winemakers. This year's scorching temperatures, hail incidents, and disease outbreaks have left a devastating impact on the region's local grapes, which are fundamental to their nuanced red wines and floral rakis. The phenomena, primarily caused by abnormally hot spring and summer temperatures, have resulted in extensive grape losses.
In Prosek, a small village, Gjon Barllokgjonaj faced a catastrophic loss of his grape harvest due to extreme heat and mildew infestations. Faced with no option, Barllokgjonaj had to purchase grapes from external sources, disrupting the traditional wine production.
Many winemakers, like Barllokgjonaj, face similar struggles across northern Albania, with changing climatic conditions wreaking havoc on their grape crops. Instances of violent hailstorms further escalate the disaster, making the prospects of grape farming increasingly uncertain.
Despite Albania boasting diverse microclimates conducive for grape growing, the persistent challenges of the warmer world present unprecedented difficulties to adapt. These challenges particularly affect small farmers, who make up a significant part of grape production but lack the necessary means to adapt to the shifting landscape.
However, attempts at mitigation are underway. Rigels Kacorri’s family, which cultivates Kallmet grapes, has begun implementing higher resilience measures, including experimenting with advanced plant monitoring techniques and sturdy, corrosion-resistant steel stakes. Nonetheless, Kacorri remains staunchly opposed to the use of genetically modified grape varieties, emphasising the value of the natural grape flavours.
While novel techniques and interventions are explored, the future of the Albanian wine industry hangs in the balance. The impact of climate change threatens centuries-old practices, risking the richness and complexity of Albania's wines.