Temperature variations in Central Italy (Marche region) and effects on wine grape production

The analysis of temperatures in this historical moment characterized by human-induced climate changes is becoming increasingly important. This study aims to accurately assess the change in temperatures over the past 50 years through the evaluation of 3 climatological standard normals. The pilot project was developed on the Marche region, an area on the Adriatic coast of Central Italy, and analyses climate change from a spatial point of view making extensive use of GIS software. The second purpose of this research is the evaluation of the relationship between the variation in the production quantities of wine grapes, a crop of value for the economy of this region, and the changes in average temperature. Obviously this study aims to provide a starting point for research that can also be applied to other territories, depending on the valuable crops possessed. The analysis showed a rise in temperatures from the past to the present; in fact comparing the period 1971–1990 with 2001–2020, there has been an increase of more than 0.5 °C on average although comparing the years 1981–1990 and 2011–2020, it has very weakened with a growth of only 0.1 °C. In this context, the influence that temperature can exert on Vitis vinifera has been evaluated with an inverse correlation. In fact, a higher temperature leads especially in all months except September to a decrease in production. This study could in the future calculate the optimal development temperatures for the different Vitis vinifera cultivars, not through the study of phenological phases but through production data. This analysis makes it increasingly clear how climate change can have enormous effects on the economy and on human life.