Environmental influences

Question 1

What is the difference between climate and weather?

Answer 1

Climate is a region’s expected, daily average level of temperature, sunlight, warmth and rainfall over time (for example, Provence’s climate is warm or Mediterranean);
Weather is what happens day-to-day and what you see outside your window.

Question 2

What is the growing season for the northern hemisphere and for the southern hemisphere?

Answer 2

Northern hemisphere: April - October
Southern hemisphere: October - April

Question 3

What is the average temperature range during the growing season in cool climates?

Answer 3

Cool
avg temp 16.5°C (62°F) or below

Question 4

What is the average temperature range during the growing season in warm climates?

Answer 4

Warm
avg temp 18.5° - 21°C (65° - 70°F)

Question 5

What is the climate classification, based on the amount of heat available during the growing season?

Answer 5

Cool
Moderate
Warm

Question 6

Name four main weather-related hazards that can cause significant damage to vines and grapes?

Answer 6

Drought
High levels of rain
Hail
Frost

Question 7

What does it mean when a region has a “cool vintage”?

Answer 7

A cool vintage means the average temperature of the growing season was lower, or colder, and the sunshine was less bright, than what is normal for that region.

Question 8

When it is hot, the vine needs more…

Answer 8

Water

Question 9

What is the worst-case scenario for a vine in a drought?

Answer 9

The vine will die from lack of water.

Question 10

What time of year is a vine’s risk of frost at its greatest?

Answer 10

Springtime

Frost threatens the vine’s new growth.