Midwest Wine Press

Melting Artic Ice Means Colder Midwest Winters

by · December 30, 2012

The December 2012 issue of Scientific American includes a story by Dr. Charles Greene of Cornell which contends that record low levels of Arctic Sea ice actually increase the likelihood of cold snaps in the Midwest. According to Dr. Greene, the “weak polar vortex” created by a warmer, more reflective Arctic Circle will allow frigid air to dive into North America with greater frequency.

Many Midwestern grape growers have told Midwest Wine Press that they believe  global warming is here to stay. Many also believe that climate change will be a net gain for Midwestern wine grape production, but extreme weather events will continue to require constant vigilance.

For more information on harsh winter weather see:  “The Winters of Our Discontent” in Scientific American.

Mark Ganchiff

Mark Ganchiff is the publisher of Midwest Wine Press, the leading source of news on the growing wine industry in the central United States. Mark has been a wine judge at the 2012 and 2014 INDY International Wine Competition, the 2014 Cold Climate Wine Competition, the 2013 Mid-American Wine Competition, the 2012 Illinois State Fair Wine Competition and the 2013 Michigan Wine Competition. He also enjoys speaking at wine events including the Cold Climate Wine Conference, the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association Annual Meeting, the Midwest Grape and Wine Conference and the Wisconsin Fruit and Vegetable Conference. Mark's articles about regional wine have appeared in Vineyard & Winery Management, WineMaker and several regional magazines. Mark is a Level One Sommelier in the Court of Master Sommeliers. He lives in Louisville, but also has a residence in Chicago.

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