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THE MAGIC OF ALTITUDE: LEARN ABOUT ITS IMPACT ON WINES
Altitude is now a frequent topic of conversation among wine lovers and an increasingly popular selling point on bottle labels.
So that the subject doesn't pass you by, we'll help you understand this interest in vineyards planted on higher ground. Discover in this article the impact that altitude can have on grapes and its influence on the production of wines with distinct profiles and characteristics
Altitude: a concept not measured in metres
The influence of altitude on vineyards
Vines planted on high ground face challenging climatic conditions, which have a significant impact on the ripening process of the grapes.
In general, these are the factors that play the most important role:
> Low temperatures
As we go up in altitude, the average temperature becomes lower and the nights become cooler. This allows the grapes to ripen more slowly, in a longer and more uniform process, preserving their natural acidity. This makes it possible to obtain fresher, more balanced wines with a lower alcohol content.
> More intense sun exposure
Vineyards at altitude are exposed to more hours of sunlight. To protect themselves from the intensity of the radiation, the grapes react defensively and develop darker, thicker skins. This results in sharply coloured wines with well-defined tannins, which give them greater structure and longevity.
> A marked temperature range
The significant difference in temperature between day and night is a characteristic of the altitude. The high temperatures during the day favour the ripening of the fruit. At dusk, the lower temperatures soften the heat shocks and balance the ripening process. This thermal variation creates unique conditions for the production of more complex and aromatic wines.
> The scarcity of water resources
In steep, rocky hillside terrain, vines often struggle to find the water and nutrients they need to thrive. As such, they develop deeper roots, extracting minerals and other elements from the soil that will later give the wine a personality specific to the local terroir.
The energy the vines put into this search for vital resources ultimately has an influence on their yield. As a rule, the fruit produced is smaller and in less quantity, but in return the grapes gain more character and a greater concentration of aromas and flavours.
The effects of altitude on wines
Different ways of expressing altitude