Bordeaux - Climate Flashcards

1
Q

What type of climate is found in Bordeaux?

A

Moderate Maritime

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2
Q

What three natural phenomena have the greatest local influences on climate and weather?

A

The Landes pine forests along the Atlantic Coast
The Gulf Stream
The Gironde Estuary

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3
Q

How does the Gironde Estuary influence the growing environment in Bordeaux?

A

It acts as a heat sink which collects and redistributes heat at the end of the growing season

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4
Q

How do the pine forests along the Atlantic coasts of the Bordeaux region influence the growing environment?

A

The trees act as wind breaks and rain barriers

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5
Q

How does the Gulf Stream influence climate and weather in Bordeaux?

A

The warm ocean currents produce a heating effect in the region

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6
Q

Which region within Bordeaux benefits most from Les Landes forests?

A

The left bank benefits most by the forests partial protection from Atlantic storms

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7
Q

Is Les Landes natural?

A

No. It was planted and is well managed to assist agriculture in the region

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8
Q

In the haut Médoc, is Les Landes a great influence on the climate?

A

No. In the Haut Medoc, the maritime influence is of greater important

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9
Q

Which is cooler , Haut Medoc or South Medoc and Graves? And why?

A

Haut Medoc. Less protection from the pine forests and more maritime influence

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10
Q

What is the average annual rainfall in Bordeaux ?

A

~950 mm

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11
Q

What weather component is a major factor in vintage variation?

A

Rainfall

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12
Q

How does rain cause poor fruit set?

A

Excessive rain at flowering?

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13
Q

What is fruit set?

A

When a flower forms a berry

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14
Q

How does rain cause dilution of the grape?

A

When it falls during harvest

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15
Q

What will rain falling throughout the growing season cause?

A

It causes increased disease pressure

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16
Q

unripe fruit and fungal disease can be cause by rainfall during which critical point of grape development?

A

During véraison

17
Q

What is véraison?

A

Change of color of the ripening grapes

18
Q

What effect has Climate Change had on temperatures and rainfall in the region?

A

Long hot growing seasons and insufficient rainfall

19
Q

What happens to resulting wines in years of raging heat and low rainfall?

A

low acidity and high alcohol in years while phenolic ripeness is awaited. The wines lack balance. For instance 2003

20
Q

Is the maritime effect the same on the right bank?

A

No. The right bank receives FAR LESS of the maritime effect

21
Q

What are the 4 main Weather Risks in Bordeaux?

A

Ill timed rain
Insufficient rain
Spring Frost
Hail

22
Q

Which weather risk decimated crops isn 1956, `1991 and 2017?

A

Spring Frost devastated vineyards

23
Q

What happens to vineyards closest to the estuary during frost years?

A

The water body moderates the temperatures and offers some protection

24
Q

In which years did hail cause adverse affects to vines?

A

2018, 2020 and many years before. Has caused from minimal to 100% damage in vineyards.

25
Q

What percentage drop in wine occurred after 2017 frost?

A

33% drop in wine production based on 10 year average

40% drop in wine production based on previous bumper year