‘Anything but Chardonnay?’ & ‘Checkmates’

Thabiso (Year 13) and Rory (Year 13)

Editor’s note: Two Year 13 students, Thabiso and Rory, have recently had articles published in The Duchy Vixen, a quarterly magazine of art and lit and local news, based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. CPD

Rory’s article entitled ‘Anything but Chardonnay?‘ explores the ways in which climate change is reshaping the wine industry. Climate change is reshaping global wine production, creating winners and losers. In Australia, rising temperatures may make it impossible to grow cooler-climate grapes like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, while in the UK, viticulture is expanding as warmer conditions make these varieties viable. Bordeaux is currently benefiting from higher temperatures, producing better-quality wine, but continued warming could disrupt traditional grape varieties. Extreme weather events—wildfires, droughts, and frosts—are also threatening vineyards, increasing production costs. Adaptation is crucial but expensive, potentially driving up prices and pushing small producers out of business. The future of wine will depend on rapid adaptation strategies.

Thabiso’s article entitled ‘Checkmates‘ reflects on recent success in chess. Thabiso’s passion for chess began during Covid, providing a vital social connection in lockdown. Since then, he has helped revive competitive chess at The Grammar School at Leeds, leading the team to unprecedented success. Reaching the English Chess Federation’s national final and winning the West Yorkshire Schools Rapidplay Championship were exceptional achievements. The recent chess boom, fueled by lockdown and pop culture, has inspired many students. With younger players now engaged, the team’s future looks bright. As Thabiso prepares to leave GSAL, his dad’s early efforts have clearly paid off—chess has become a lifelong passion.

You can download their articles here: Issue 45 September 2024