Human/Climate Factors for each Major Region Flashcards
What are two natural factors that affect the maritime climate in Bordeaux?
Warming effect of the Gulf Stream and Atlantic brings high levels of rainfall and humidity
What is difference between climate of Dordogne and Bordeaux?
Very similar; but Dordogne does not have the moderating maritime influence of Gulf Stream
What are three natural hazards of Burgundy?
Rain during flowering and harvest, spring frosts, prevailing westerly winds
What is the climate for most of Chile?
Mostly warm with mediteranean climate
What mountain range marks the border between Argentina and Chile?
The Andes
Chile receives cooling influences from what two factors?
The Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains
What are the specific cooling factors for Chile that comes off the Pacific?
The Humboldt Current brings cool winds inland and it also brings fog into the coastal areas
What is the specific cooling factor for the foothill vineyards of Chile of the Andes?
Cold air descends from the mountains overnight and increases the diurnal range
Because of its warm and relatively dry climate what does Chili not have much of?
Fungal disease
Due to the low fungal disease, what is possible in Chile in terms of grapegrowing?
Sustainable and organic agriculture
What is the main climate of Australia and why?
It is warm and hot and it is due to the latitude
What kind of hazards affect Australia?
Drought, bush fires and smoke taint
What tempers the climate in the coastal regions of Australia?
Either Southern or Indian Ocean OR the Murray River System
What it the climate of Margaret River and what is it known for?
Warm, maritime climate. Known for Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
When does Margaret River have high rainfall?
In the winter
What is the climate in Barossa Valley and what is it know for?
Warm, dry climate. Known for Shiraz
What is the climate of Claire Valley and what is it known for?
Warm climate, known for Rieslings and Shiraz
Why is Riesling able to be grown in the warm Claire Valley climate?
Cool afternoon breezes, and cool nights
What is the Hunter Valley climate and what is it known for?
Hot, humid climate. Known for Semillon, Chardonnay and Shiraz
What is the climate in Beaujolais?
Moderate continental
Why is Gamay well-suited to the Beaujolais climate?
It is early budding and ripening
What is the climate of Alsace?
Cool to moderate continental
In Alsace, what mountain range shelters the vineyards from the prevailing and rain-bearing westerly winds?
Vosges Mountains
What are two climatic influences in Alsace?
Effect of Vosges Mountains and lack of clouds
In the worst years, what can be a hazard in Alsace?
Drought
What is France’s longest river?
The Loire river
What is the climate of Loire Valley?
Four different sub-regions have four different climates
What is the overall climate of the Loire Valley subregions?
Cool
What is vintage variation a problem for Loire Valley?
The vineyards lie at the Northernmost point to grow grapes
What can be a hazard in Loire Valley?
Fungal issues due to high rainfall
In Northern Rhone, what is the climate?
Moderate and Continental
What is the climatic influence in N. Rhone and S. Rhone that can damage vineyards?
The cold north winds known as “Mistral”
In N. Rhone, how do they protect vineyards from the cold North winds?
They plant vineyards in the lateral valleys that feed into the Rhone River.
What is the climate of S. Rhone?
Mediterranean
How do grapegrowers protect vineyards from the “Mistral” in S.Rhone?
Less slopes so they have to plant windbreakers and they bush train to the ground the Grenache and trellis the Syrah
What is the climate of South France?
Warm Mediterranean
What is the biggest hazard in South France?
Drought
What is an advantage to the Mistral winds?
The winds have a drying effect reducing humidity therefore inhibiting fungal growth
What effect can proximity to a river in a cooler climate have?
Reflects heat in the summer and retains heat in autumn extending the growing season
What affect on moisture can the large “galet” stones have in S.RHone?
Stones can lock in moisture, slowing the evaporation of moisture which is helpful in dry climates
Which climates produce more vintage variation? Cool/moderate climates or warm climates?
Cool/moderate climates
What are the three climatic zones in Spain and what are their climates?
North/Northwest is moderate maritime, East coast is warm mediterranean and Meseta Central is hot continental climate
What is the biggest climatic hazard in North/NW Spain?
Atlantic weather systems brings high rainfall
What is a climatic influence on most of the East Coast vineyards of Spain?
Many are moderated by the sea or the altitude
Why is the Meseta Central is Spain so hot?
It is cut off by the influence of the sea by the encircling mountains
What is a climatic influence on Meseta Central?
Hot summer temperatures can be moderated by the cool nights of high altitude sites
With exception of NW Spain, what is biggest challenge to grape growing in Spain?
Lack of water
What is a positive aspect of lack of water and what is a negative aspect?
Positive is low fungal disease a negative is heavy stress on the vine
How to grapegrowers in Spain manage the lack of water?
Low density planting, bush training vine by maximizing water available and shading grapes from the heat
