Climate
Climate is a fundamental environmental factor in viticulture, referring to the long-term patterns of temperature, rainfall, sunlight, and other atmospheric conditions that shape the growing environment for grapevines. It plays a decisive role in determining which grape varieties can be successfully cultivated, how grapes ripen, and ultimately the character and style of the resulting wine[1]. The interaction between climate and vine is a central component of terroir, influencing both the quality and typicity of wines produced in any given wine region[2].
Background
Climate has long been recognised as a principal determinant of viticultural success. Ancient civilisations cultivated grapevines in regions where seasonal conditions supported both vegetative growth and fruit ripening[3]. While local traditions and soil also mattered, the suitability of a region’s climate largely governed whether wine production was viable. Historical wine zones typically aligned with temperate latitudes, avoiding extremes of heat, cold, or humidity[4].
With the formal study of viticulture in the 19th and 20th centuries, climate began to be categorised more systematically. Researchers such as A.J. Winkler introduced classifications based on accumulated heat during the growing season, helping define optimal zones for different grape varieties[5]. Today, climate remains a primary consideration when developing vineyards or assessing wine styles across the globe.
Characteristics
In viticulture, climate refers to the long-term patterns of temperature, sunlight, rainfall, and seasonal variation that affect grapevine growth. It is typically considered at three levels: macroclimate (regional scale), mesoclimate (site scale), and microclimate (within the vine canopy)[6].
Key climatic variables influencing wine production include growing season temperature, diurnal temperature range, and the timing and amount of precipitation[7]. For example, regions with wide diurnal shifts often produce wines with higher acidity, while warmer climates tend to yield riper, fuller-bodied styles.
Sunlight exposure and wind patterns also shape ripening, disease pressure, and ultimately the terroir expression in finished wines. Even small variations in elevation or aspect can result in markedly different climatic conditions within the same vineyard area[8].
Use in winemaking
Climate directly influences which grape varieties are suitable for cultivation in a given region, as different cultivars require specific thermal conditions for optimal ripening[9]. For instance, cool-climate regions often favour varieties such as Riesling or Pinot Noir, while warmer climates may be better suited to Syrah or Grenache.
Viticultural decisions—such as canopy management, irrigation, and harvest timing—are adapted in response to prevailing climatic conditions to achieve desired ripeness, acidity, and flavour balance[10]. Winemakers also consider vintage variation, especially in marginal climates, where small shifts in weather patterns can significantly impact grape composition.
As global temperatures rise, many producers are reassessing traditional vineyard sites and exploring new zones at higher altitudes or latitudes to maintain wine quality and typicity[11].
See also
References
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015.
- ↑ Jones, “Climate, Grapes, and Wine: Terroir and the Importance of Climate to Winegrape Production”, GeoJournal, Vol. 61, No. 4, 2004.
- ↑ Unwin, Wine and the Vine: An Historical Geography of Viticulture and the Wine Trade, Routledge, 1996.
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015.
- ↑ Gladstones, Wine, Terroir and Climate Change, Wakefield Press, 2011.
- ↑ Jones, “Climate, Grapes, and Wine: Terroir and the Importance of Climate to Winegrape Production”, GeoJournal, Vol. 61, No. 4, 2004.
- ↑ Goode, The Science of Wine: From Vine to Glass, University of California Press, 2014.
- ↑ van Leeuwen & Seguin, “The Concept of Terroir in Viticulture”, Journal of Wine Research, Vol. 17, No. 1, 2006.
- ↑ VIVC – Vitis International Variety Catalogue, “Climatic suitability for grape varieties”, www.vivc.de.
- ↑ Gladstones, Wine, Terroir and Climate Change, Wakefield Press, 2011.
- ↑ OIV, “Climate change and the global wine sector”, www.oiv.int.