Climate Flashcards
Bergerac AC
Less Maritime influence than Bordeaux
Burgundy
Northern continental. Severe winters. Short, warm summers. Relatively low rainfall but vintage rains cause grey rot. Spring frosts and summer hail, especially in Chablis. Massif Central protects many vineyards from higher levels of rain.
Beaujolais
Warmer and drier than Northern Burgundy
Macconais
Warm continental
Cote Chalonnaise
Similar to Cote D’Or but warmer and with higher altitude
Alsace
Driest area in France. Vosges Mohntains protect from rain and wind. 1800+ sunshine hours. Hot summers. Long, autumns (Dry). Occasional summer hail storms. Occasional cold winter can kill vines. Overall near perfect climate. Warm mesoclimates close to Colmar (middle) 1 degree higher than averages.
Loire Central Vineyards
Continental with severe winters and hot summers.
Sancerre AC, Pouilly- Fume AC, Mentou- Salon, Reuilly, Quincy
Touraine
Continental climate. Warm summers and cold winters. Not as extreme as Loire Central vineyards.
Touraine, Vouvray, Montlouis, Chinon, Bourguiel, Saint Nicohlas De Bourgueil
Anjou- Saumur
Atlantic influenced but drier and warmer than Nantais. All day sun. Facing the prevailing winds.
Anjou, Saumur, Champigny, Coteaux Du Layon, Chaume, Bonneaux, Quarts De Chaume, Savennieres
Nantais
Temperate, damp and humid due to Atlantic proximity.
Mild winters (frost is rare).
Mild summers.
Germany
Marginal cool continental climate. Gradual ripening over long season retains acid.
Wet years botrytis more common
River proximity air flow important for frost protection.
South facing slopes maximise sun.
Pfalz
Shelter, sun and low rainfall provided by Haardt Mountain.
Mild winters.
Warm summer.
England and Wales
Latitude over 51 degrees North. Maritime and Gulfstream influences moderate. Spring frosts and rain @ flowering a problem.
Long season. Mild autumns.
Disease control an issue due to high rainfall.
Northern Rhone
Mistral is dominant feature. Strong, cold North wind cools climate bunt inhibits disease. Summers hot but not stifling. Frost risk in early spring and delayed ripening. Rain usually early spring and late autumn. Hail an occasional problem.
Southern Rhone
Mediterranean. Mild winters. Hot summer. Low rainfall. Plenty of sunshine. Mistral particularly strong as no protection from sunshine.
Languedoc
Mediterranean. Early springs. Hot, dry summers. Long Autumn. Rainy winters. Mistral and Tramontane wines can still cool otherwise stifling summer heat.
Geneva
Lake Geneva offers a warm micro climate and prevents frost risk.
Bordeaux
Moderate maritime. Long ripening season. High humidity (grey rot bad/ botrytis good). Even rainfall throughout year. Dunes and forests protect from Atlantic winds.
Austria
Central European.
Short cold winters.
Long warm summers.
Long autumns.
Hungary
Central European. Short, cold winters. Long warm summers. Long Autumn for ripening. 10.5 degrees average temp. 600 mm average annual rainfall.
Trans- Danubia
Around Lake Balaton. Protected from winds, ideal climate (Central European)
Romania
Climate divided by Carpathian Mountains. North and West= Continental, East= Maritime from Black Sea (Mild winters, Hot summers)
Piedmont
Alps dominate.
Severe winters. Long summer. Warm Autumns.
Valtellina DOC
Lombardy.
Long summer days, cool nights.