Quality Factors: Climate
Climatic conditions and weather patterns such as rain, hail, frosts, droughts, windstorms and temperature influence how a grape cluster forms and ripens and what kind of quality it will produce. When grape clusters bloom in spring, the number of berries a cluster will produce is determined. Heavy winds at bloom can affect flowering. If there is frost at the wrong time, young berries can be damaged.
Vintners prefer years when there is plenty of rain in the fall after harvest and during the winter months, but not enough to flood or seriously erode vineyards. They prefer mild springs, so their grapes set healthy grape clusters. They prefer mild to warm summers, which favor even ripening patterns. They prefer their grapes to ripen fully and to be harvested when they have an optimal flavor. No vintner likes rain at harvest. While some rain is typical and will not harm the grape, persistent rain can break the ripening pattern, temporarily lower sugar levels and lead to mold, grape shatter or mildew. So, the location and climate are truly key factors when producing quality wines.
