As the saying goes, “Oranges in Huainan are oranges, while those in Huaibei are oranges.” It can be seen that the performance of the same kind of fruit varies greatly in different regions, and wine grapes are no exception, and these changes are also reflected in the production of them. in the wine. From soil type to winemaker’s winemaking philosophy, there are many factors that affect wine style, and climate is an important element that cannot be ignored.
How does climate affect wine?
Climate refers to the multi-year average condition of the atmosphere in a region, including elements such as light, temperature, and precipitation. Climate not only largely determines where grape varieties are suitable for growing, but also plays a huge role in the yield and quality of grapes.
Climate can be said to be a key factor affecting grape ripeness, and grape ripeness largely affects the style of wine. That’s why Terry Kandylis, a renowned sommelier, once said: “In blind tasting, the appearance of the wine is the first clue. A white wine with a light, clear color and hints of green fruits may come from a cooler climate. Regions. Conversely, red wines with a rich, deep color and ripe, fruity flavors may come from regions with warm or hot climates.”
Warm climates and wine
In warm or hot climates, where there is plenty of light and heat, the grapes are better able to reach the desired ripeness, resulting in lower acidity, higher sugar content, and darker color, resulting in wines with an alcohol content Higher, the wine is fuller and more fruity. Among them, white wines have stone fruit and tropical fruit flavors, while red wines exude dark fruit flavors such as plums, blueberries and blackberries, and sometimes develop chocolate flavors.
In warm or hot climates, people tend to choose wine grapes with thicker skins to ensure that the resulting wines have well-structured tannins. Usually these wine grapes are red grape varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, Sangiovese, etc. Wine-producing regions or wine-producing countries with hot or warm climates usually include California in the United States, southern France, southern Italy, Australia, Argentina, etc.
