2023年经济学人 英国兴起葡萄栽培（2）

 

    Nick Watson of Strutt & Parker says that in the past year inquiries¹ about buying established vineyards have tripled and that prices have increased by ￡1,000 ($1,200) per acre, or ￡2,500 per hectare.

    Strutt&Parker的尼克·沃森表示，去年购买成熟葡萄园的问询增加了两倍，每英亩的价格上涨了1000英镑(合1200美元)，或每公顷上涨了2500英镑。

    Land suitable for viticulture now sells for ￡40,000-50,000 per hectare (roughly ￡15,000-20,000 more than basic farmland).

    适合种植葡萄的土地现在的售价为每公顷4-5万英镑(比基本农田大约高出1.5 -2万英镑)。

    Such prices pale next to those in famed wine regions abroad: in Bordeaux land can fetch over ￡1.6m a hectare.

    与国外著名的葡萄酒产区相比，这样的价格相形见绌:在波尔多，每公顷土地可以卖到160多万英镑。

    The disparity has little to do with the quality of the soil and much to do with a region’s reputation: “Sussex” doesn’t yet have the same ring as “Bourgogne”.

    这种差异与土壤质量没有多大关系，而与一个地区的声誉有很大关系:“苏塞克斯”还没有“勃艮第”那么响亮。

    But Ned Awty, the interim² ceo of Winegb, a trade body, says that as the climate warms he expects still-wine production to rise.

    但贸易机构Winegb的临时首席执行官内德·阿蒂表示，随着气候变暖，他预计无气葡萄酒的产量将会上升。

    He thinks in a decade or so, it will be warm enough in Britain to ripen³ Merlot.

    他认为在十年左右的时间里，英国的气候将足够温暖，可以让梅鹿汁（红葡萄酒）成熟。

    Other aspects of climate change are less welcome for winemakers.

    气候变化的其他方面对酿酒师来说就不那么受欢迎了。

    A year of heavy rain or severe drought could destroy entire crops.

    一年的大雨或严重干旱可能会摧毁整个庄稼。

    Still wine is at especial risk.

    葡萄酒的风险尤其大。

    John Atkinson, chief winemaker at Danbury Ridge⁴ vineyards in Essex, says that unlike sparkling wines, which provide winemakers with some wiggle room to adjust taste by adding sugars, nailing a good bottle of still Pinot Noir all comes down to the soil, the weather and the barrel.

    埃塞克斯丹伯里岭葡萄园的首席酿酒师约翰·阿特金森说，起泡酒通过添加糖给酿酒师提供了一些调整口味的空间，而要酿出一瓶好的黑比诺，归根结底要取决于土壤、天气和橡木桶。

    “Growing grapes in this country is a bit like playing cricket,” he says, “There are so many ways to be out.”

    “在这个国家种葡萄有点像打板球，”他说，“出路太多了。”

1 inquiries   

n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听

参考例句：

• He was released on bail pending further inquiries. 他获得保释，等候进一步调查。
• I have failed to reach them by postal inquiries. 我未能通过邮政查询与他们取得联系。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

2 interim   

adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间

参考例句：

• The government is taking interim measures to help those in immediate need.政府正在采取临时措施帮助那些有立即需要的人。
• It may turn out to be an interim technology.这可能只是个过渡技术。

3 ripen   

vt.使成熟；vi.成熟

参考例句：

• I'm waiting for the apples to ripen.我正在等待苹果成熟。
• You can ripen the tomatoes on a sunny windowsill.把西红柿放在有阳光的窗台上可以让它们成熟。

4 ridge   

n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭

参考例句：

• We clambered up the hillside to the ridge above.我们沿着山坡费力地爬上了山脊。
• The infantry were advancing to attack the ridge.步兵部队正在向前挺进攻打山脊。