Northern Rhone Growing Environment and Grape Growing

Question 1

What is Northern Rhone’s climate?

What is the difference between the summer and winter?

How much rainfall does it have and when does it fall?

Answer 1

This region has a moderate continental climate

cold winters, warm summers

adequate rainfall falling mainly in the autumn and the winter.

Question 2

Which direction does the Mistral blow from?

What effects does it have on the vineyards and their production of fruit?

Answer 2

The North

It reduces the incidence of fungal disease. It is also decreases vine vigour and leads to lower yields and higher concentration in the wines, but lower production

Question 3

what is the distance between the most northerly vineyards and most southerly vineyards?

What effect might this have?

Answer 3

The distance between the most northerly and southerly vineyards is over 40 miles,

can result in better ripening in the southern part of the region.

Question 4

Many of the better vineyard sites are found on steep slopes, what would cause this?

Is there any down side to this?

Answer 4

steep slopes increase the interception of sunlight and promote better drainage.

However, most work has to be done by hand, raising cost.