Ch 5 The Growing Environment - Climate And Weather Flashcards
What is the definition of a region’s climate?
THE ANNUAL PATTERN OF TEMPERATURE, SUNLIGHT AND RAINFALL AVERAGED OUT OVER SEVERAL YEARS.
MUST KNOW DEFINITION
What is the definition of a region’s weather?
THE ANNUAL VARIATION THAT OCCURS RELATIVE TO THE CLIMACTIC AVERAGE
MUST KNOW DEFINITION
How is a regions temperature defined?
It is the average temperature during the growing season - April to Oct in N hemisphere and Oct toApr in S hemisphere
What are the four main temperature ranges used?
Cool - av temp of 16.5 C or less;
Moderate - av. temp of 16.5 to 18.5C;
Warm - av temp of 18.5 to 21C;
Hot - av temp in excess of 21C.
What factors are used to determine a climate definition?
The temp. categories, continentality, sunlight and rainfall
Describe the CONTINENTAL climate.
High continentality
High Diurnal range
Short, hot, dry summers
Rapid temp drop in Autumn - cold winters
Give an example of a cool continental climate region. What weather hazards can affect this type of region?
Chablis and Champagne in France.
Spring frosts, low temp in growing season affecting flowering fruit set and ripening. Dry summers can require irrigation.
Describe a Maritime climate.
Low continentality, cool to moderate temps. Evenly spread rainfall moderates temperature allowing ripening into Autumn.
Give an example of a Maritime climate. What weather hazards can affect this type of climate?
Bordeaux. Allows Cab Sauv to ripen.
Spring rainfall can harm flowering, fruit set and around harvest time grape health
Describe a Mediterranean climate
Low continentality,
Low Diurnal range
dry warm summers. Extra warmth and sunlight. Cool winters
Low rain in winter mainly
Give examples of Mediterranean climate regions. What weather hazards can affect this type of climate?
The mediterranean countries, coastal California, Chile, S. Africa and SE Australia.
Risk of drought. However less risk of unhealthy grapes, i.e. fungual/ mildew
What would profile of a wine from Mediterranean climate region be?
Grape?
Extra warmth and sunlight = fuller bodied, riper tannins,lower acidity and higher ABV.
Grenache favoured here
What are the climate challenges ofa COOL continetal climate?
Spring frosts- kills young shoots and new buds - yield
Excessive cold in growing season - flowering and fruit set. - yield
Dry summer, high temperature = irrigation
