Climates

Question 1

Cool

Answer 1

• Usually in latitudes far from the equator
• Long winters, short summers (with long daylight hours)
• Especially in maritime climates, rain at any time may affect flowering and
  fruit set, favour fungal diseases, threaten ripening and dilute flavours
  (marked vintage variation)
• Best vineyards are planted on steep slopes facing S/SE (or N/NE in the
  southern hemisphere) to maximize sunlight interception
• Masses of water (such as lakes or rivers) can help prolong the growing
  season by slowly releasing the heat accumulated during the summer; they
  also help to prevent winter freeze, leading to precipitation in form of snow
  which can insulate the vines and protect them from freeze; and heat up
  slowly after the winter, delaying bud-break and thus helping the vines to
  avoid being damaged by spring frosts
• In most areas water availability is not a problem, so vineyards can be
  planted at high density/low yielding (for quality), or low density/high
  yielding (for high volume, low-quality production)
• Soils with good drainage capacity are important to aid ripening; stony soils
  that radiate heat also help ripening
• Winter hardy varieties (Vidal, Cab. Franc, Riesling), as well as early
  ripening ones (Chardonnay, Pinot, Gamay) do best on these conditions
• Wines will have higher levels of acidity and fresher fruit flavours
• Examples:
  o Continental: Burgundy, Ontario, Mosel, Central Vineyards
  o Maritime: Pays Nantais, British Columbia

Question 2

Moderate/Warm

Answer 2

• Mid distance from the equator, or closer to it with moderating influences
  (such as altitude or cooling winds)
• In continental climates, winters are cold and summers are hot, thus a
  cooling influence can lead to a greater diurnal range, slowing down sugar
  accumulation and allowing the grapes to better retain acidity
• In maritime or mediterranean climates the growing season is naturally
  longer
• North facing vineyards (or south facing in the southern hemisphere) are
  more at frost-risk
• In mediterranean or continental climates, water availability can be an
  issue, so vineyards must be planted at low/medium densities for the vines
  to have proper access to water or nutrients
• A lot of varieties can successfully ripen in moderate climates
• Wines usually have moderate acidity levels and ripe fruit flavours
• Examples:
  o Continental: Hermitage, Toro, Ribera del Duero
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  o Maritime: Bordeaux, Madiran, Marlborough
  o Mediterranean: Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Cornas, Provence

Question 3

Hot

Answer 3

• Usually in latitudes closer to the equator
• Short and mild winters, long and warm summers
• Best vineyards will be planted on sites with a cooling influence (greater
  diurnal range, slowing down sugar accumulation and allowing the grapes
  to better retain acidity); where the heat is extreme, producers may even
  plant vineyards in the face opposite to the equator
• Water availability can be an issue, so vineyards must be planted at
  low/medium densities for the vines to have proper access to water or
  nutrients; where there is plenty of water or irrigation is permitted,
  vineyards can be planted at high density/low yielding (for quality), or low
  density/high yielding (for high volume)
• Late-ripening varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache) are best suited to
  hot climates because they can benefit from the heat to properly ripen; early
  ripening varieties can accumulate sugar and lose acidity too quickly,
  leading to unbalanced wines
• Wines usually have lower acidity levels and very ripe fruit flavours
• Examples:
  o Continental: Priorat
  o Maritime: Margaret River
  o Mediterranean: Lodi, Chilean Central Valley

Question 4

Mediterranean