Cool-Climate Varietal
Definition - What does Cool-Climate Varietal mean?
A cool-climate varietal is a wine grape that is categorized based its ability and preference to grow in cool-climate areas. Most grapes have the ability to survive in many variants of weather and geographical locations, however some thrive and reach their potential in more specific climates.
Such cool-climate varietals are those of:
- Riesling found commonly from the cool region of Germany
- Chardonnay from Burgundy and Champagne, Tasmania and Patagonia (Argentina)
- Pinot Noir from cool climates as Burgundy, Champagne, Canada, Tasmania and Patagonia
- White varietals of Northern Italy.
WineFrog explains Cool-Climate Varietal
A cool-climate varietal is one which is cultivated in the cool wine regions of the world. Compared to other regions which sustain higher temperatures and/or diurnal temperatures with warm or hot temperatures during the day and a difference of twenty-plus degrees lower in the evenings, cooler climates offer more of a challenge for grape growers.
While the cool climate presents many challenges for growers, the quality of the grapes and thus the wines is worth the effort. Some examples of commonly-known cool-climate varietals are
- Riesling
- Chardonnay
- Pinot Noir
- Gewurztraminer
- Muller-Thurgau
- Pinot Meunier
- Vidal (Canada)
- Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio)
