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)