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i n t e l l i g e n c e f o r t h e W i n e c o n S U M e r
by Len Napolitano
What is the relationship between wine and the weather?
The whole issue of the weather and its effect on winemaking is
about a wine’s overall quality, flavor, richness, age-ability, complexity
and even cost. A bountiful harvest could mean an abundance of
wines at great value. A spoiled crop may mean increased prices and
limited availability of good wines. There are always exceptions, and it
is very possible to find great wines from not-so-great vintages, and
vice versa.
First, winemakers speak of climate zones, which are geographic
regions differentiated according to the average amount of warmth
above 50° each year. This part of the weather equation is steady, with
minor variation over the long-term. Therefore, knowledge of climate
zones helps a grape grower determine which types of vines to plant.
For example, cooler zones are known to be best for growing
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, while warmer zones have proven
beneficial to Syrah and Zinfandel.
The other side of the weather story is the one that can stress the
winemaker as much as the grapes – the weather conditions in any
given year, regardless of the climate zone. No two years will have an
identical number of days of sun, rain, fog, mist, hail, frost and wind.
What’s more, the timing of these unpredictable events throughout the
growing season of March to October can mean the difference between
a “perfect” vintage and a horrible one. Thus, wines are identified with
the vintage year – information critical to wine buyers.
With the help of Vintage Charts, you can compare vintages of any
major wine-growing regions, which, in effect, is comparing the
weather from year to year. If you buy your wine at wine specialty
shops, vintage charts are normally available for reference, if you ask.
When it comes to wines from California, our wine region weather is
fairly good and consistent. In dry periods we irrigate the vineyards.
But European vineyards depend more on the weather and wines from
France especially can vary greatly from year to year.
So what kind of weather will produce a “perfect” vintage? It starts
with rain in March, but as of April, is practically rain-free. The days
are warm, the nights are cool, and the summer is long and mild. If
the days get too cold, the grapes will ripen too slowly, sometimes
never fully maturing. This will increase the tartness and acidity in the
wines. If the weather is too hot, the wine tends to be flat and heavy.
But the real devastator is rain during, or nearing, harvest time.
This excess moisture will dilute the juice in the grapes and may even
cause rot to form on the grapes. The period from mid-August to
October is critical to grape growers and winemakers, as they must
continually measure the ripeness of the grapes in making their
decision on when to pick them. They hope for continued warm
weather and will shudder at even the threat of rain, as heavy rain at
harvest time can ruin an otherwise great growing season.
Len Napolitano lives in San Luis Obispo County and is certified in wine by the Society of Wine Educators,
Wine & Spirits Education Trust and Chicago Wine School and continually gains knowledge from his frequent contact
with California winemakers. More information is on his website, www.wineology.com.
Send your questions about wine to: wineologist@earthlink.net or by mail to Len Napolitano in care of
Wine Country This Week magazine. Wineology is a registered trademark of Len Napolitano.
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