Get naked for wine

October 6, 9:57 PMInternational Wine ExaminerKevin Lynch

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Do the French love wine so much that they’re willing to strip and go naked to protect it. The answer is yes, and how. On October third 713 French wine lovers stripped down and hung out bare-assed in the Burgundy to pose for a group portrait. By getting naked organizers hoped to draw attention to the impact of global warming on the French wine industry.

The streak-fest was organized with Greenpeace to assist in the campaign to urge political leaders to take action in the lead up to the  United Nation’s Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen in December. In an open letter to President Obama, President Merkel of Germany and other heads of state, Greenpeace organizers wrote: “We're not asking you to take your clothes off in Copenhagen - but we do expect you to be there - to sign a fair, ambitious and binding deal to save the future of our planet. A half-decent climate treaty simply won't do.”

Climate change in wine regions is a real problem. As the planet warms grapes mature more quickly. Hot weather makes for higher sugars, less acids and more alcohol which can be largely unpleasant to drink.

Global warming puts not just France's wine producing reputation at risk. If current emission levels continue to increase a temperature rise of 2 to 4? is predicted to take place by 2100. Dramatic increases in temperature would completely alter the wine industry and make cultivation of the grape impossible in some of the world’s best-loved regions.

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