Temperature (climate)
For the influence of temperature on the wine itself during fermentation, storage and service, see Temperature (wine).
Temperature (climate) refers to the heat regimes that shape grapevine growth, berry composition and the style of finished wine. Alongside soil and topography, it is one of the most critical elements of terroir.[1]
Growing season and thresholds
Grapevines are highly sensitive to seasonal temperature patterns. The concept of growing-degree days (GDD) quantifies cumulative heat available to the vine between spring and autumn, and is widely used to classify viticultural climates.[2] Broadly, mean growing-season temperatures of 13–21 °C are considered suitable for quality viticulture, with lower values associated with crisp, high-acid styles and warmer values with fuller-bodied, higher-alcohol wines.[3] Below about 10 °C vine growth is minimal, while prolonged exposure above ~35 °C can arrest photosynthesis and impair berry development.[4]
Regional effects
Macro- and mesoclimate patterns determine the viability of particular grape varieties. Cool-climate regions such as Marlborough or Mosel emphasise aromatic retention and high natural acidity, whereas warm to hot climates, including parts of South Australia or the Central Valley of California, favour ripeness, colour intensity and lower acidity.[5] At finer scales, slope orientation and altitude adjust temperature exposures: north-facing vineyards in the northern hemisphere receive greater solar radiation, while higher elevations temper excessive heat.[6]
Climate change implications
Rising global temperatures are shifting traditional winegrowing patterns. Earlier budbreak, accelerated ripening and higher potential alcohol are observed in many established regions, challenging conventional balances of sugar, acid and flavour.[7] These trends have prompted experimentation with canopy management, irrigation, altered harvest timing, and even the relocation of vineyards to cooler zones or higher elevations.[8]
See also
References
- ↑ Gladstones, Viticulture and Environment, Winetitles, 1992.
- ↑ Jackson, Wine Science: Principles and Applications, 5th ed., Academic Press, 2020.
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015.
- ↑ Gladstones, Viticulture and Environment, Winetitles, 1992.
- ↑ Jackson, Wine Science: Principles and Applications, 5th ed., Academic Press, 2020.
- ↑ Gladstones, Viticulture and Environment, Winetitles, 1992.
- ↑ Jones & Webb, “Climate change, viticulture, and wine: Challenges and opportunities”, Journal of Wine Research, Vol. 21, No. 2, 2010.
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015.