Warmer climate boosts north German vineyards; Bumper harvest falls flat for Italy's Asti vineyardsBy Pierrick YVONWerder, Germany (AFP) Sept 21, 2025The morning sun shines on lush vines as harvesters pick grapes. They have benefited from a rise in average summer temperatures of more than 1C since, said Ernst Buescher of the German Wine Institute. "Changes in the climate have brought an increasing number of risks for German winemaking in recent years," he added. The climate adaptation efforts make life harder for German winemakers as they battle against the well-established industries in southern Europe. That hit comes on the back of a decline in demand in Russia, where Asti wines were particularly popular, since Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.