Hills may help winegrowers fight climate change

 New research suggests central Victoria's wine industry will do better than other Victorian regions under climate change.

The Department of Primary Industries has been considering the impact of a temperature rise of three degrees Celsius and water shortages over the next 30 years.

It says there will be a need for new grape varieties which suit the smaller wineries around central Victoria.

Researcher, Dr Mark Downey, says the region's small hills could also be an advantage.

"I think the central Victoria, the advantage you've got, is that you've got topographic variation," he said.

"So you can look at certainly some aspect benefits, where you might be able to grow grapes away from the full impact of the afternoon sun and things like that."