D1 Climate classifications

Question 1

Climate classification

Answer 1

A region’s climate is defined by the annual pattern of temperature, sunlight, rainfall, humidity and wind.

Question 2

Maritime

Answer 2

Low continentality (low annual difference between summer and winter).
Large Bodies of water mitigate the climate (winds and breezes) and provide additional reflected light (for extra ripeness).
Long autumn extent the growing season.

The even level of rainfall reduce the risk of water stress.
However, too much water can cause excessive vine vigour.
Rainfall can disrupt flowering, fruit set and harvest (dilution).
Rain increase humidity therefore risk of fungal disease.

Question 3

Mediterranean

Answer 3

Low continentality (low annual difference between summer and winter).
Large Bodies of water mitigate the climate (winds and breezes) and provide additional reflected light (for extra ripeness).
Long autumn extent the growing season.

Lower rainfalls (compare to maritime), tends to fall in the winter months, therefore summers are dry.

Question 4

Continental

Answer 4

High continentality (extreme difference between summer and winter), short summer and cold winter, temperature change quickly in spring and autumn.

• Cold winters can increase the risk of winter freezes.
• A quick change in temperature in the spring lead to even bud burst. However, can increase the risk of spring frost can destroy and delay buds.
• A quick drop in temperature in autumn lead to a shorter growing season.

Low temperature during growing season can effect flowering, fruit set and ripening.
South east facing vineyards on slopes means that they benefit from the most sunlight and, as cool air will sink to the bottom, lower the risk of frost.

Question 5

Temperature categorisation

Answer 5

Cool - Growing season temperature of 16.5C or below.
Grapes may be too low in sugar and too high in acids.
Cool temperature can hinder flowering and fruit set.

Moderate - Growing season temperature of 16.5C to 18.5C.

Warm - Growing season of 18.5C to 21C.
Warm summers lead to grapes with high sugar and low acidity level by the time aromas, colour and tannins have reached their optimum ripeness.

Hot - more than 21 degrees

Question 6

Weather

Answer 6

Weather is the annual difference to the climates. It can have a significant influence on wine style, quality and yields.

This has effect on sugar, acid levels, tannins and aroma/flavour ripeness, therefore has an impact on how the wine are made in the winery.

Question 7

Climate change

Answer 7

The main effect of climate change is the rise in temperature (leading to greater evapotranspiration therefore earlier water stress).
Other issues are the altered rainfall and greater weather variability.

The increased temperature speeds up the whole vine’s cycle. Earlier the bud burst, faster the sugar accumulation and drop of acidity. However, it do not quicken the ripening of most aromas and tannin and colour compounds. Therefore, the grapes are picked late, with high level of sugar, causing high alcohol and low acidity.
Also, the rapid drop of acidity gives higher PH level, problematic in winemaking.