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Viticulture - Climate

Q: What is the ideal location to produce the best wine?

The vineyard should be located between the 30th and the 50th parallel north and between the 30th and 50th parallel south --> temperate climate

Q: What happens if the weather is too cold or too hot?

Too cold and less sunny: grapes lower sugar level and more acidity, which results in a lower alcohol level Too hot and sunny: grapes higher sugar level and less acidity, which results in a higher alcohol level

Q: What are macroclimates and microclimates?

Macroclimates: large geographical areas Microclimates: smaller area and they can be influenced by different weather conditions such as wind or altitude

4 important questions on Viticulture - Climate

What is the ideal location to produce the best wine?

The vineyard should be located between the 30th and the 50th parallel north and between the 30th and 50th parallel south --> temperate climate

What happens if the weather is too cold or too hot?

Too cold and less sunny: grapes lower sugar level and more acidity, which results in a lower alcohol level
Too hot and sunny: grapes higher sugar level and less acidity, which results in a higher alcohol level

What are macroclimates and microclimates?

Macroclimates: large geographical areas
Microclimates: smaller area and they can be influenced by different weather conditions such as wind or altitude

How can microclimates impact / influence the viticulture practices?

The choice of grapes and the types of wines that will be produced. For example, in Switzerland the climate is mostly continental. However, as an example in the Valais, a hot wind named foehn has an influence on the climate, which helps create dryer conditions than in other vineyards in Switzerland.

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

Oenology and wine-producing regions

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