Climates Flashcards
What is the climate of Bordeaux?
Moderate maritime.
Bordeaux’s proximity to what is major factor in its climate? Describe them?
Bodies of water:
- The Atlantic Ocean, warmed by the Gulf Stream which extends up the Gironde estuary.
- The Garonne and Dordogne Rivers.
What forest is an important factor of the Bordeaux climate and what is its affect?
The forest of Landes in the west of Bordeaux. They protect the region from the winds of the Atlantic and thus moderate the temperature.
Describe Spring and Summer in Bordeaux.
Spring - Mild and damp, brings enough rainfall for the coming growing season. Spring is unpredictable enough to make flowering a critical time. Millerandage and Coulure are a constant threat at flowering.
Summer - Hot with storms but rarely prolonged rainfall. July is the driest, sunniest month with sunshine hours of 2000. August is the hottest with an average temperature of 26°C.
Describe Autumn and Winter in Bordeaux.
Autumn - Occasional rainfall, ripening is slow and even with excessive rain being the chief hazard at harvest.
Winter - The moderate climate protects the vines from winter freeze, although extreme winters do occasionally occur with the winter of 1956 killing many vines.
What is Burgundy’s climate?
Northern continental at the northern limit of viable viticulture.
What climatic issues does Burgundy face?
Spring frost - especially in Chablis.
Hail damage in Spring and Summer.
Heavy rain in late spring / early summer.
What are the average summer temperature, annual rainfall and sunshine hours of Burgundy?
- 19.6°C
- 775mm
- 1830hrs
The influence of rain would be greater in Burgundy if it were not for what?
The Massif Central, an elevated plateau and mountain range that lies to Burgundy’s west and protects it from rain from the Atlantic Ocean.
What methods are used in the better vineyards of Burgundy to combat Spring frost?
Smudge pots and sprayers.
Describe how Beaujolais’ climate differs to the rest of Burgundy.
Warmer and drier than the north of Burgundy, borderline continental, with the Massif Central to the west and the Alps to the east tempering the climate.
What is one of the biggest disease pressures the climate causes in Burgundy?
Grey rot from summer time rain.
What is the climate of Alsace?
Continental.
The climate of Alsace is unique, how so, and what makes it this way?
Alsace has a long, even relatively dry summer and ripening period due to its proximity to the Vosges mountains, running along its western edge, creating a rain shadow effect on Alsace with average annual rainfall being one of the lowest in France. The town of Colmar has average annual rainfall of 500mm making it the second driest town in France behind Perpignan on the Mediterranean coast.
Alsace lies between what latitudes? Meaning what?
47.5-49 degrees north of the equator meaning it has a cool growing season that requires aspect of vineyards to maximise the suns rays.
