Weather is the short-term, year-to-year condition of a vineyard — the specific temperatures, rain, frost, hail, sunshine and their timing in a given growing season — as opposed to the long-term average of climate. Weather drives vintage variation: a wet flowering, a heatwave at harvest or autumn rain can make or break a year. Managing weather's risks is a central challenge of grape growing.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR COLLECTORS
Weather explains why one vintage soars and the next struggles in the same vineyard. Knowing a year's weather story helps you interpret vintage reputation and decide which years to buy, cellar or drink early.
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