Bordeaux - Climate Flashcards
What type of climate is found in Bordeaux?
Moderate Maritime
What three natural phenomena have the greatest local influences on climate and weather?
The Landes pine forests along the Atlantic Coast
The Gulf Stream
The Gironde Estuary
How does the Gironde Estuary influence the growing environment in Bordeaux?
It acts as a heat sink which collects and redistributes heat at the end of the growing season
How do the pine forests along the Atlantic coasts of the Bordeaux region influence the growing environment?
The trees act as wind breaks and rain barriers
How does the Gulf Stream influence climate and weather in Bordeaux?
The warm ocean currents produce a heating effect in the region
Which region within Bordeaux benefits most from Les Landes forests?
The left bank benefits most by the forests partial protection from Atlantic storms
Is Les Landes natural?
No. It was planted and is well managed to assist agriculture in the region
In the haut Médoc, is Les Landes a great influence on the climate?
No. In the Haut Medoc, the maritime influence is of greater important
Which is cooler , Haut Medoc or South Medoc and Graves? And why?
Haut Medoc. Less protection from the pine forests and more maritime influence
What is the average annual rainfall in Bordeaux ?
~950 mm
What weather component is a major factor in vintage variation?
Rainfall
How does rain cause poor fruit set?
Excessive rain at flowering?
What is fruit set?
When a flower forms a berry
How does rain cause dilution of the grape?
When it falls during harvest
What will rain falling throughout the growing season cause?
It causes increased disease pressure
unripe fruit and fungal disease can be cause by rainfall during which critical point of grape development?
During véraison
What is véraison?
Change of color of the ripening grapes
What effect has Climate Change had on temperatures and rainfall in the region?
Long hot growing seasons and insufficient rainfall
What happens to resulting wines in years of raging heat and low rainfall?
low acidity and high alcohol in years while phenolic ripeness is awaited. The wines lack balance. For instance 2003
Is the maritime effect the same on the right bank?
No. The right bank receives FAR LESS of the maritime effect
What are the 4 main Weather Risks in Bordeaux?
Ill timed rain
Insufficient rain
Spring Frost
Hail
Which weather risk decimated crops isn 1956, `1991 and 2017?
Spring Frost devastated vineyards
What happens to vineyards closest to the estuary during frost years?
The water body moderates the temperatures and offers some protection
In which years did hail cause adverse affects to vines?
2018, 2020 and many years before. Has caused from minimal to 100% damage in vineyards.
What percentage drop in wine occurred after 2017 frost?
33% drop in wine production based on 10 year average
40% drop in wine production based on previous bumper year
