CLIMATE change could see Scotland become a major wine producer and exporter within the next century, with Edinburgh and Elgin becoming the site of leading vineyards, a study suggests.

The country’s hanging levels of temperature and rainfall could produce ideal conditions for Scotland to become the best place to grow pinot grigio grapes by 2100.

According to the University College London, Sauvignon blanc and chardonnay could be grown in unfamiliar wine areas such as Peckham and Milton Keynes, while the area around Bristol and Somerset would eventually be perfect for Merlot.

Professor Mark Maslin and Lucien Georgeson used average temperature and rainfall conditions required for growing different grape varieties with predicted changes in climate to map changes to British viticulture over the next 85 years.

They worked on the theory that temperatures are expected to increase by at least a further 2.2°C by 2100 and rainfall will increase by 5.6 per cent.

. Professor Maslin said: “Climate is critical to successful grape cultivation. This study could signal how we think long-term about British wine production and redraw the future wine map of the world.

“However, exactly where would be best for particular grapes will depend on site, slope, aspect, soil and drainage as wine-making is as much an art as it is a science.”