Foster’s Turns to Tempranillo as Climate Change Bakes Vineyards - Bloomberg.com

Warmer weather shortens the growing season for grapes, accelerating the build up of sugar, which converts to alcohol, while limiting the development of flavor in the skin and juice for varieties grown in Australia like chardonnay and shiraz.

[Flashback: Lack of global warming fails to bake vineyards]

"Western New York it known for its world class vineyards, and the late freeze this spring was devastating to local farmers," Gillibrand said. "New York's farmers are a critical part of our economy and we must ensure their success. It is important that our farmers and communities receive the federal assistance they need to recover this season."

On May 18, according to more recent reports from Schumer and Gillibrand's offices, temperatures dropped into the low 20s, damaging acres of grape crops throughout the region. Current estimates claim 50-60 percent of farmer's grape crops were lost in some areas, with the greatest damages impacting farms in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Erie counties.