Winemakers from Australia's famed Hunter Valley are increasingly turning to the extinct volcanic slopes of Orange, New South Wales, to secure quality fruit as rising temperatures and shifting consumer preferences undermine their home region, according to ABC News Australia. The Hunter Valley, long celebrated for its semillon and shiraz, has seen its climate become "increasingly compromised" in recent years, forcing producers to look beyond their own vineyards for reliable grapes. Warmer growing seasons have accelerated ripening, eroding the acidity and finesse that define the region's signature styles, while drinkers are gravitating toward lighter, lower-alcohol wines. Orange, perched on the slopes of the long-dormant Mount Canobolas, offers higher elevations and cooler nights that preserve the brightness and structure winemakers now prize. Its volcanic soils impart a distinct mineral character that has attracted investment from major Hunter houses seeking to future-proof their portfolios. The shift marks a profound transformation for an industry rooted in tradition, as climate reality redraws the map of Australian wine.
Source: ABC News Australia.
