Climate

Is Your Local Climate Qualified to Produce Wine?
If you are considering starting a winery, the one factor that you must consider in order to be successful is climate. If you encounter problems with pest, transportation or cultural differences, these can be resolved in multiple methods. However, the one factor that you cannot change is climate. Climate varies throughout the world mainly by latitude. Which is the degree of angle you are positioned from the equator along north-south position, where 0° is at the equator and 90° is located at the poles. 

Brief Introduction to Climate

What causes different climates throughout the world? Ever wondered why the Earth is tilted? Unfortunately there is no definite answer to that question of why the Earth is titled. Clark Wilson, a Geophysicist at the University of Texas says that during the formation of our solar system, the crashes between dust and rocks in space eventually formed together making the different planets. However, the result of our tilted Earth is what causes the different climates in our planet. If the Earth was positioned perpendicularly to its orbital, we would not experience Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter. Below to the left, we can see what the annual temperature will be if the Earth was not tilted at all. If we look to the right, the tilt is at 23.43° which is the Earth's angle. By comparing the two graphs, we can see a major difference in temperature throughout the year and is characterized by different positions along the latitude. The simulation of temperature throughout the year depending on Earth's tilt was taken from an online Ecology textbook by Cain, Bowman and Hacker. Click here to visit the online textbook and simulation.

Taken from sites.sinauer.com

As you already know, climate varies depending on where you are located. Below is a world map showing the different climates through out the world, taken from National Geographic. The overall pattern of different climates depends on how far are you from the equator. The closer you are to the equator, the wetter and hotter it will be. 

Image taken from National Geographic

Now, the main question is "can I grow grapes for wine production in my local area?" This depends on what your local climate is. In general, there are 5 climates around the world, each with its own characteristics. Click on the different climates below and see if it is possible to grow grapes for wine production.

               Continental                                   Desert
                  

                Tropical                                  Subtropical
                     Polar