The Impact of Climate Change on Pinot Noir and Identity: A Narrative Literature Review
Fengxia Shi
Haiyan Song
This narrative literature review examines how climate change is reshaping not only the viticultural conditions of Pinot Noir but also its identity. Drawing on selected publications, the study organizes climate impacts into three core dimensions: terroir shifts, changes in quality and style, and adaptation strategies. A reframing of the research focus reveals that Pinot Noir’s identity is increasingly influenced by market dynamics, sustainability discourses, and stylistic diversification. The paper proposes a conceptual framework that integrates environmental pressures with symbolic and consumer-driven forces, highlighting an emerging bifurcation between terroir-driven and market-driven styles. New markets—particularly in Asia and Northern Europe—are redefining Pinot Noir through preferences for accessibility, lower alcohol content, and eco-credentials, while alternative styles such as pét-nat and sparkling Pinot Noir further complicate traditional identity markers. By bridging viticulture, climate science, and wine marketing, this study offers a deeper understanding of varietal identity as a co-constructed and evolving phenomenon. The findings provide theoretical insights into the cultural repositioning of fine wine and practical implications for producers navigating climate adaptation and market redefinition in the global wine economy.
Fengxia Shi is
Haiyan Song is