Viticultural climate

Viticultural climate classifies wine regions according to their thermal and moisture regimes. A continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers, marks Burgundy; an oceanic climate, milder and wetter, defines Bordeaux; a Mediterranean climate, hot and dry, dominates southern France, Spain and southern Italy. Each type guides the choice of grape varieties, the pace of ripening and the overall style and structure of the resulting wines.