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.
Terre Di Franciacorta DOC
Lake Iseo moderate microclimate
Veneto
Climate moderated by mountains in the North and sea in the East
Bardolino
Veneto
Cooler climate on shores of Lake Garda
Fruli- Venezia- Guilia
Hillsides bordering Slovenia benefit from Alps and Adriatic airflows.
Tuscany
Vineyards @ altitude on slopes have excellent sun exposure and wide diurnal temperature range.
Vernaccia Di Sa Gimignano
Tuscan DOCG.
High altitude hillside sites have great diurnal temperature range which keeps flavours and extends ripening period
Bolgheri DOC
More temperate than most of Tuscany due to proximity to the sea
Umbria
Similar to Tuscany but inland, so lacks moderating influence of the sea
Puglia
Hot, maritime climate
Sicily
Interior mountains have cooler climate producing better wines.
4 Spanish climate zones
North West= Atlantic
East Coast= Mediterranean
Centre= Continental
Southern= Coastal with hot winds
Central Spain
Can be Mediterranean/ Continental
OR
Atlantic/ Continental
Varying by vintage
Rioja Alavesa
Cool maritime influence from the Atlantic. Relatively high rainfall. Whole of Rioja protected by mountains on all sides.
Rioja Alta
Maritime
Warmer and drier than Rioja Alavesa
Rioja Baja
Continental
Hot summers. Severe winters.
Navarra
Broad range of micro- climates
Somotano
Navarra sub region (Pyrenees foothills).
Cool climate with significant rainfall.
Calatayud
Navarra sub region. Northeast Spain. Continental and arid.
Catalunya
Broad range of Climates
Penedes
3 zones:
Hot continental coastal plain
Temperate inland (Cava)
Cool continental high altitude Plantings inland
Conca De Barbera
Catalunya sub- region:
Cool sunny climate, low rainfall, cooling winds from sea.
Costers Del Segre
Catalunya sub region:
Severe, semi arid climate. Very low rainfall. Irrigation network (also protects against frost)
Priorat (Priorato)
Catalunya sub- region:
Continental
Hot and Dry but cooler @ altitude
Low rainfall
Tarragona
Catalunya sub- region:
Mediterranean near coast
Continental further inland
VdlT De Castilla
Hot, arid pains
Duero Valley
Harsh continental climate
Toro
Continental- extremely hot summers
Rueda
Continental
Cool evenings give elegance.
Ribera Del Duero
Continental
Warm summer and cool nights. Altitude tempers climate (higher altitude than Rioja)
Rias Baixas
Cool, damp, maritime climate
Galacia
North, West Spain
Cool, damp maritime
The Levant
Mediterranean
Valencia
Warm Mediterranean
Alicante
Hot Mediterranean climate
Jumilla
Hot Mediterranean climate
The Meseta
Extremely continental climate.
Hot and dry.
Valdepenas
Extremely continental climate
Hot and dry
(Meseta sub region)
Vinho Verde
Warm summer
High rainfall in summer and often in harvest (disease threat)
Central Portugal
Maritime
Bairrada
Central Portugal:
Maritime climate, damp and rainy
Ribatejo
Maritime influence:
Cooling morning mists around Tagus estuary. Inland the temperature is relatively hot.
Palmela
Warm maritime:
Mild winters. Warm summers. Adequate rain, mainly in winter and spring.
Alentejo
Continental climate:
Low rainfall, hot summers.
Northern Greece
High altitude cool climate.
Naoussa, Goumenissa and Drama Valley
Naoussa
High altitude cool climate.
Macedonian Mountains
Goumenissa
High altitude.
Macedonian Mountains
Rapsani
Central Greece.
Prevailing winds help prevent. Fungal disease (near Mount Olympus)
Nemea
Peloponnese Pennisula
Mild winters. Hot summers. Rainfall limited to Autumn and Spring.
Black Sea Region
Bulgaria
Climate moderated by the sea. Mountains reduce maritime influence inland (red production)
Danube Plain
Continental with hot summers
Struma Valley Region
Valley extends Mediterranean climate inland
Sub- Bulkan Region
Bulgaria.
Deep valleys produce unique micro climates (white grapes)
Coastal Region (South Africa)
Influence by the sea. Ideal for Sauvignon Blanc.
Tygerberg District
Influenced by the sea. Ideal for Sauvignon Blanc.
Stellenbosch
Warm Mediterranean climate
Paarl
Warmer, less maritime. Influenced climate. Considerable climate variation.
Tulbagh District
Hot climate, surrounded by mountains.
Varied climate due to typography.
Breede River Valley region
Hot inland climate.
Canopy management enable white and sparkling production despite heat
South African Climate
Mediterranean:
Cool Benguela Ocean current cools far inland. Low rainfall makes irrigation necessary in most sites. Cool, low altitude coastal regions. Warmer inland regions eg Stellenbosch
Morocco
Vineyards @ over 500m altitude
Atlas Mountains. Cooled by Atlantic breezes.
Tunisia
Best vineyards on the Coast near Tunis
Australia
Hot Mediterranean near the coast. Major differences between zones. Some cool climate sites such as Tasmanian and high altitude mainland sites.
Lower Hunter zone
High rainfall @ harvest (Grey rot problem)
Upper Hunter Valley Zone
Drier than lower Hunter so grey rot less of a problem.
Central Ranges Zone
Mudgee, Orange, Cowra
Cooler climate Hilltop regions (over 600m)
Slopes of the Western Ranges
Canberra
High altitude with frost problems
Port Phillip Zone
Cool and wet. Underripe news and fungal disease a problem.
Mornington Pennisula
Maritime Climate
Geelong
Barren and very windy
King Valley
North- East Victoria zone.
High altitude, cool climate sights
Alpine Valley
North- east Victoria zone.
High altitude, cool climate sites
Pyrenees
Rolling countryside. Cooler climate.
Bendigo
Warmer than the Pyrenees
Western Victoria Zone
Pyrennees- Cooler climate
Bendigo- Warmer climate
Tasmania
Cool climate
Lower Murray Zone
Hot climate leads to sugar ripeness before phenolic ripeness.
Riverland.
Barossa Zone
Long dry summers. Hot climate with occasional drought.
McLaren Vale
Cooled by ocean breezes
Mount Lofty Ranges Zone
Clare Valley
Cool nights
Piccadilly Valley
Cool climate.
Chardonnay resembles Sauvignon Blanc. Due to high acid and flavour structure.
Limestone Coast Zone
Cool climate. Influenced by Ocean Current. Spring frosts, harvest rain and under ripeness are main problems.
Coonawarra and Padthaway (Padthaway is slightly warmer)
Greater Perth Zone
Swan Valley.
Very hot with dry summers.
South- West Australia Zone
Margaret River
Maritime. Dry warm summers. Wet winters due to sea’s proximity. Strong Spring winds can disrupt flowering.
New Zealand
Range of climates. Subtropical Auckland. Cool in far south. Predominately maritime. Central Otago continental and very dry. Most vineyards on East coast to protect against West Coast rains.
Auckland
Sub tropical
NZ’s Warmest wine region
Marlborough
NZ’s sunniest area
Nelson
Planted in Moutere Hills.
Long fine Autumns produce good late harvest Rieslings.
Waipara
Sheltered valley area.
Long, dry summers and autumns
Central Otago
Continental.
High altitude among Southern Alps. Large diurnal temperature fluctuation. Hot, dry summers. Cool, crisp winters. Spring and Autumn frosts an annual hazard.
Japan
Unpredictable. Trouble ripening, problems with grape health.
India
Extremes in climate make grape growing difficult
California
Length leads to large range of climates. UC Davis zonal classification based on degree days. Cooling mists and fogs from Pacific. Provide temp. contrasts and humidity where there is no fog Plantings often @ altitudes to avoid heat.
North Coastal Region
California.
Wide range from warm Mediterranean to cool with Spring frosts.
Napa, Caneros, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Mendocino
Napa Valley AVA
Morning mist rolls in from the bay to cool climate
Anderson Valley
Cool climate.
Mendocino country sub- region in North Coast Region
North Central Coast
Monterey Country= cool and dry Santa Cruz Mountains= cool (Zone one)
Monterey Country
Cool and Dry
Santa Cruz Mountains
Cool (Zone one)
South Central Coast
Mountains are E/W not N/S facilitating flow of cool ocean breezes.
Santa Ynez Valley and Paso Robles
Central Valley (California)
Hot
Zone 4 and 5
Lodi sub region in North is cooler
Sierra Foothills
Californian Rockies foothills.
Hot days and cool nights ensuring good fruit concentration.
Oregon
Maritime
Pacific Ocean and warm North Pacific drift- influence.
Willamette Valley- mild winters and warm summers Limpqua Valley and Rogue Valley- warmer climate
Willamette Valley
Mild winters and warm summers
Oregon
Umpqua Valkey and Rogue Valley
Warmer Oregon sub regions South of Willamette
Washington State
Extreme continental climate.
Inland regions dry, almost desert. Severe winter frost a threat Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley and Walla Walla sub region
Colombia Valley
Extreme continental climate
Inland regions dry almost desert. Severe winter frost a threat Washington state.
New York State
Lakes and Ocean provide warm, moderating effect on climate.
Annual frost risk @ Finger Lakes.
Finger lakes, Hudson Valley, Long Island
Finger Lakes
Lakes and Ocean provide warm, moderating effect on climate.
Annual frost risk New York State.
Hudson Valley and Long Island
Lakes and ocean provide warm, moderating effect on climate.
New York State.
Mexico
Baja, California.
Similar Maritime influences to California. Cool Alaskan current produces morning fogs like SF Bay.
Most irrigated from underground aquifers (salination a problem)
Baja California
Mexico
Similar maritime influences to California. Cold Alaskian current produces morning fogs like SF bay.
Most irrigated from underground aquifers (salination a problem)
Niagara Pennisula
Continental
Between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Short hot summers. Long, extremely cold winters. Winter and Spring frost damage risk. Lake influences air movements.
Pelee Island and Lake Erie, North Shore are main AvAs
Okagnagan Valley
British Columbia
Semi Desert. Near Northern viticulture limits. Edge of Sonoran Desert
Chile
Near perfect throughout. Maritime country. Different altitudes. Most in warm, dry Central Valley. Varying height to Coastal Range varies cooling influence of Pacific Breeze. Pacific Breeze influence more important than latitude. Spring Frost risk in some cooler areas.
Aconcagua Region
Chile.
Maritime. Close to sea. Maritime influence of Humbolt Current. Morning fogs like California slow ripening and allow complex flavours to develop Casablanca and San Antonio subregions
Casablanca
Chile- Maritime
Close to sea. Maritime influence of Humbolt Current. Morning fogs like California. Slow ripening and allow complex flavours to develop.
San Antonio
Chile.
Maritime. Close to sea. Maritime influence of Humbolt current. Morning fogs like California slow ripening and allow complex flavours to develop.
Central Valley Region
Chile. Between Andes and Coastal Cordillera. Cooled by Pacific Humbolt Current.
Maipo, Rapel, Curico, Maule, sub regions
Maipo
Warm site valley climate around Santiago
Central Valley region
Curico
South in Central Valley.
Cooler, wetter, conditions due to cloud cover and Lattitude.
Chile.
Maule
Wettest of 4 Chilean Central Valley sub regions.
Chile’s Southern Region
Planting on hills and nearer sea. Irrigation unnecessary. Climate suitable of aromatic whites.
Bio- Bio and Itala sub regions.
Bio- Bio
Chilean Southern region sub region. Planting on Hills and nearer sea. Irrigation unnecessary. Climate suitable for aromatic whites.
Itata
Chilean Southern regions sub region.
Planted on hills and nearer sea
Irrigation unnecessary. Climate suitable for aromatic whites.
Coquimbo Region
Chile’s Northernmost wine region. Elqui Valley- Highest region in Chile, altitude creates long cool growing conditions perfect for Cab Sauv and Syrah. Limari Valley- East/ West valley, cooling morning fogs allow fine wine production.
Irrigated as 80- 100mm per year low rainfall.
Limari Valley
Coquimbo sub region (Chile).
East/ West valley, cooling morning fogs allow fine wine production. Irrigated as 80- 100 mm per year low rainfall
Elqui Valley
Chile’s Northernmost wine region. Coquimbo sub region (Chile) highest and most Northern region in Chile, altitude creates. Long cool growing conditions, perfect for Cab Sauv and Syrah
Cafayate
Salta Province, Argentina
High altitude. Large diurnal temperature differences. Allow aroma and flavour with acidity.
San Juan
Argentina
Hotter climate
Argentina
Planted close to Andes. From subtropical North to Salta to Patagonia. Most vineyards over 500m. Salta Vineyards over 2000m for Cool climate near Equator. Low rainfall as in rain shadow of Andes. Occasional Spring frosts in South. Hail threat each summer.
Uruguay
Temperate, Maritime
Similar to Bordeaux. Rain year round makes Mildew and Black Spot a problem (lyre system training to minimise)