Climate - WSET Diploma - Unit 1 Flashcards
Learn about difference between the climates to developing of the vines. #mediterraneanclimate #maritimeclimate #continentality #continentalclimate #tropicalclimate #subtropicalclimate #coo #warm #hot
How many are the climate classifications? What are they?
Four.
- Maritme
- Mediterranean
- Continental
- Tropical
Talk about the Maritme climate and give the examples of areas where has this kind of climate.
- low annual range of temperatures (warm summers and mild winters)
- often combined with relatively high rainfall.
- Usually it is found near large bodies of water.
- Rainfall during the growing season tends to be higher and this generally brings extra cloud cover.
- The combination of moderate temperatures and clouds makes this kind of climate IDEAL FOR THE PRODUCTION of MEDIUM-BODIED wines with MODERATE alcohol levels.
Ex:
- Europe: Bordeaux/France (red and white wines); Rias Baíxas/Spain; Vinho Verde/Portugal.
- North America: North Atlantic Coast
- South America: x
- Oceania: eastern coast of NZ; Mornington Peninsula - in Victoria State / Australia.
- Africa: Walker Bay/South Africa (cool maritme)
Describe the Mediterranean climate. Give the examples of areas where has this kind of climate.
- low annual range of temperatures
- with warm, dry, sunny summers
- and mostly mild, wet winters - most of the rain falling during the winter.
The dry, sunny conditions ARE SUITABLE FOR A WIDE RANGE OF WINE STYLES, but specially enable the production of MEDIUM-FULL BODIED, RICHLY-textured RED wines with RIPE TANINS.
Ex:
- Europe: throughout the Mediterranean basin
- North America: west coast of UEA
- South America: Chile
- Oceania: Southern and South Western Australia
- Africa: Cape Province / South Africa
Talk about the Continental climate and give the examples of areas where has this kind of climate.
- a wide annual range of temperature: hot summers and cold winters.
- Normally it is found inland, away from the moderating affects of the sea.
- In regions FAR from Equator, the average annual temperature may be VERY LOW.
- but the CONTINENTALITY can result in VERY WARM (albeit short) SUMMERS. The temperatures drop more rapidly in autumn, and it gives a shorter growing season, there is less sunlight and warmth available at the end of the growing season.
This climate IS BETTER to cultivate EARLY-RIPENING varieties like CHARDONNAY e PINOT NOIR. - Because Continental climates TEND TO BE DRIER than Maritime Cl., it REDUCES THE RISK of rot at harvest time and makes later harvesting less of risk.
- COOL Continental Climates* - the dry autumn can enable the production of INTENSELY-FLAVOURED, LATE-HARVEST white wines with HIGH potential alcohols, which may be vinified as sweet wines or dry.
- WARM Continental Climates* - best to grape varieties adapted to the long autumn. Ex: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec.
Ex:
- Europe: Champagne/France; Mosel/Germany
- North America: Canada
- South America: Mendoza/Argentine
Describe the Tropical climate.
- Its shows minimal temperature variation throughout the year,
- the temperature signals is unclear to vine distinguishes when is the dormant periods and growth cycles.
- usually, tropical and sub-tropical are considered unsuitable for high quality viticulture.
Why plants are dependent on the climate parameters for their development. Give examples of these climate parameters?
Because they have no mechanisms for controlling their environment.
The climate parameters are rainfall and temperature.
Describe what is the climate.
It is the annual wheather pattern of an area averaged over several decades.
Describe some advantages of Mediterranean climates for viticulture.
- Sunshine is mostly more reliable and generous than others kind of climates.
- There is less risk of rainfall during the growing season and excessive rainfall during ripening and harvest. As a result of these rainfall patterns, the risk of fungal diseases is generally lower.
- Drip irrigation allows a better degree of control over soil water availability and vine vigour, and permits the use of mesoclimates and soils that were too dry for viticulture before.
- Improved canopy management has at least as great an application as in other climates.
How can be classified the vine growing regions according to the average temperature during the growing season?
- Cool: below 16ºC
- Moderate: 16.5 - 18.5ºC
- Warm: 18.5 - 21ºC
- Hot: above 21ºC
When is the growing season in the each hemisphere?
North hemisphere: April to October
South hemisphere: October to April
Where is find a typical COOL climate and what kind of grape variety is better to cultivated there?
- Europe: Champagne / France; Mosel / Germany; Southern England.
- Oceania: Marlborough/New Zealand; Tasmania / Australia
- North America: Anderson Valley and Carneros / UEA
This climate is better to EARLY-RIPENING varieties as CHARDONNAY and PINOT NOIR.
Where is find a typical MODERATE climate and what kind of grape variety is better to cultivated there?
- Europe: Bordeaux and Northern Rhone in France; Rioja in Spain; Tuscany and Piedmont in Italy.
- Oceania: Coonawarra in Australia.
- North America: Napa Valley and Sonoma in UEA.
It is better to cultivate INTERMEDIATE-RIPENING varieties such CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MERLOT and SANGIOVESE.
This kind of climate is suited to the production of MEDIUM-BODIED wines.
Where is find a typical WARM climate and what kind of grape variety is better to cultivated there?
- Europe:
- Oceania:
- North America:
- South America:
- Africa:
Where is find a typical HOT climate and what kind of grape variety is better to cultivated there?
- Europe:
- Oceania:
- North America:
- South America:
- Africa:
How is possible vines growing with high quality in an area with Tropical climate? Give an example.
- in locations where temperature is moderated by altitude or proximity to cool oceans.
Ex:
- South America: South of Brazil