资源环境科技发展态势分析平台

Climate conditions for Quebec's viticultural potential (VP) during upcoming decades are estimated through high- resolution probabilistic climate scenarios (PCS) based on a large ensemble of simulations from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5). VP is investigated through four temperature-related indices identified as current limiting factors for cold, northern latitudes: length of frost-free season (CNFD), growing degree-days (DDB10), annual winter minimum temperature (AWMT), and annual number of very cold days (ANVCD). Results show that by 2040-2050, most of southern Quebec can reasonably expect favorable climatic conditions, with enough consecutive frost-free days and growing degree-days for growing current hybrid-grape varieties, as well as some Vitis vinifera grape varieties. Regions with new VP are identified, for example southern Outaouais and along the St-Lawrence River. Cold winter temperatures remain problematic, but technical solutions to this limiting factor exist.