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There are many factors to consider, but the temperature and humidity directly impact how crisp or acidic your Sauvignon Blanc is or how rich a Cabernet Sauvignon becomes. Every glass poured is laced with the details of its environment, and lovers and producers must understand the interplay between the two.
Let’s dive into the science behind it and see how even minor shifts change the profile of a bottle.
Temperature’s role in grape growth
The climate factor that has the biggest impact is temperature because it dictates how slowly or quickly the grapes ripen.
The ripening speed, in turn, shapes how acidic the wine is because it dictates the sugar and tannin content which also affects how alcoholic it becomes.
Wines from cooler climate
Typically, wines from cooler regions have higher acidity levels and lower sugar levels.
This produces wine profiles that are crisp and light-bodied, such as the bright, fruity wines of the Burgundy region or Germany’s Mosel Valley. Both regions produce wines that are great for aging.
Wines from warmer climates
Grapes ripen a whole lot faster in warmer wine regions, such as Napa Valley or Australia’s Barossa Valley.
That means they are often sweeter and produce richer wines, profiles we describe as full-bodied or fruit-forward.
The lower acidity levels make them smoother in the mouth, and they are boldly flavored and intense enough to drink.
The effects of rainfall and humidity
Of course, it isn´t just temperature that plays a role; regardless of how the heat speeds up ripening, water availability still dictates grape production.
Without enough water, the vine's health suffers, and the same can be said for when there is too much.
Water also affects how concentrated flavors are. For steady vine growth and flavor cultivation, the right balance of rainfall must be struck.
Excessive rainfall
Excessive rainfall dilutes flavors that is not to say that great wines can´t be produced in wetter regions look at Bordeaux.
It just means that canopy management is needed and is crucial in a particularly wet year. Without the right strategies, vineyards also run the risk of fungal diseases.
Limited rainfall and drought
Dryer climates produce more concentrated flavors. We see regions with limited rainfall, such as Spain’s Ribera del Duero, produce bottles that embody just that.
However, there is also the risk of low yields when droughts are experienced.
If the vines have to work too hard to find nutrients then they might not produce much fruit and the fruit produced will often have high tannin content.
Seasonal variability explained
While we can generalize on how climates affect grape growth and guess the wine varieties likely to be produced we have to remember that no two growing seasons are exactly alike.
Weather fluctuations will always produce vintage variations, especially when we consider unexpected weather events.
Temperature drops
budding vines can be devastated by a spring frost. We all saw how the frosts that hit France in 2022 caused a 90% reduction in the following year's yield.
Unexpected frosts can make a typical bottle more structured, textured, or concentrated.
To counter the effects of frosts, winemakers in certain regions have had to rely on heaters and wind machines.
Extreme heat
When a heatwave hits, the grapes in a vineyard can become overripe very quickly, and with high sugar levels, they can even begin to ferment on the vine.
Overripe grapes produce unbalanced wines with jammier, cooked-fruit flavor profiles.
Elevation and microclimatic effects of wine
On top of regional climate considerations and unexpected weather fluctuations there are also local weather patterns and elevation levels to consider.
These microclimatic changes also play an important role in wine development and create distinct variations in the finished glass produced.
Higher altitudes
Higher altitudes mean cooler nights, which is a blessing in a hot climate because it balances out many factors.
It results in an acidic wine with the deeper aromas and flavors of a warm climate wine.
Argentina’s Mendoza region is a prime example, producing bottles with ripe fruit flavors without a tannic taste.
The differences found between coastal and inland vineyards
How close a vineyard is to the sea also factors in.
A cool sea breeze works similarly to the nighttime temperature drops found at elevation.
Conversely, inland regions with greater temperature swings produce wines with varying annual characteristics.
The future of wine: The impacts of global climate change
We can discuss wine climates without addressing the elephant in the room. Global climate change is, of course, impacting traditional wine-growing regions.
To keep viticulture alive and sustainable, winemakers have to adapt and put strategies in place.
Newly emerging regions
Climate change doesn't present a nail in the coffin. Cooler areas are now starting to produce some high-quality wines thanks to temperature rises.
The future of wine may lie in new frontiers such as England and Canada.
Climate change strategies
Planting and cultivating heat-resistant grape varieties is high on the agenda, as is better water and canopy management.
Some winemakers have shifted their vineyards to higher altitudes. Leveraging innovative agricultural innovations and management strategies will help with future climate concerns.
For more on resources and innovations, you can join online wine appreciation and viticulture forums.
Remember if you are looking to explore international wine markets and find yourself up against regional restrictions then you can use a VPN to unlock access.
Conclusion
The wines we enjoy carry the mark of the climate that they grew in.
Be it regional dictation, typical weather patterns, or unexpected shifts; the bottles will express the variation.
This means that global climate change will inevitably continue to have an impact on shaping the wines we enjoy.
Fortunately, understanding the science behind it can help us adjust the traditional wine landscape and evolve viticulture.
With the right measures, the world can continue to enjoy diverse wine profiles for years to come.