IIILevel 3 · Chapter 2
Viticulture
Vine growing, climate, soil, and terroir.
Climate Types
Climate is the single most important factor in determining what grapes can be grown and what style of wine will result.
| Climate | Temperature | Examples | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cool | 14–16.5°C growing season avg | Champagne, Mosel, Burgundy | High acid, delicate fruit, lower alcohol |
| Moderate | 16.5–18.5°C | Bordeaux, Tuscany, Napa | Balance of acid and fruit, medium alcohol |
| Warm | 18.5–21°C | Barossa, Mendoza, S. Rhône | Ripe fruit, lower acid, higher alcohol |
| Hot | >21°C | Central Valley CA, Riverland AU | Very ripe, used for bulk/fortified |
Climate Influences
Beyond the broad climate classification, several factors moderate temperatures and affect vine growth.
- Latitude: closer to equator = warmer (30–50°N/S is the wine belt)
- Altitude: higher = cooler (approx. 0.6°C per 100m elevation)
- Ocean currents: cold currents cool coastal regions (e.g., Humboldt in Chile)
- Aspect: south-facing slopes (N. hemisphere) get more sun
- Fog/cloud cover: natural cooling (Sonoma Coast, Casablanca)
- Continentality: distance from moderating water = larger temperature swings
Soil
Soil influences vine stress, water availability, and root development. The best wines often come from poor soils that limit vigor and concentrate flavors.
- Gravel/sand: warm, well-drained — Bordeaux Left Bank, Graves
- Clay: cool, water-retentive — Bordeaux Right Bank (Pomerol)
- Limestone/chalk: alkaline, good drainage — Burgundy, Champagne, Chablis
- Slate/schist: heat-retaining, steep slopes — Mosel, Priorat, Douro
- Volcanic: mineral-rich, well-drained — Etna, Santorini, parts of Oregon
Vine Management
Viticultural decisions directly impact grape quality and yield. Key decisions include training system, pruning level, canopy management, and harvest timing.
- Yield control: lower yields generally = more concentrated flavors
- Canopy management: leaf removal exposes fruit to sun, reducing disease risk
- Irrigation: restricted in many European regions; essential in dry New World areas
- Organic/biodynamic viticulture: no synthetic chemicals; growing movement worldwide
- Phylloxera: root louse that devastated Europe; most vines now grafted onto resistant rootstock
Key Facts
- Vines need a dormancy period and are grown between 30–50° latitude (both hemispheres)
- The growing season runs April–October in the Northern Hemisphere, October–April in the Southern
- Water stress forces vines to produce smaller, more concentrated berries
- Most quality wine comes from Vitis vinifera species
Study Tips
- Think of climate as the 'big picture' and micro-climate as the 'fine detail'
- Always link viticultural choices back to the resulting wine style
- Draw a cross-section of a vineyard showing altitude, aspect, and soil layers