Terroir 2006 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 International Terroir Conferences 9 Terroir 2006 9 Climate component of terroir (Terroir 2006) 9 Climatic zoning and viticulture in Galicia (North West Spain)

Climatic zoning and viticulture in Galicia (North West Spain)

Abstract

Galicia is situated in the NW of the Iberian Peninsula, just north of Portugal and so sharing a mild, maritime climate, certain vine species and a number of long-standing viticultural traditions. In Galicia about 18,000 has are dedicated to wine growing, of which roughly half (46%) correspond to the 6 DOs in the area. The Galician climate is marked by its great diversity that can be explained by the prevailing maritime and continental winds over this part of the world and also due to its topography where a series of N to S mountainous chains check rain-bearing fronts from the Atlantic. This factor gives rise to the appearance of rain shadows particularly suitable for vine growing. A database was established with standardised 1971-2000 climatic data from 53 selected stations. Fourteen parameters and climatic indices commonly used in viticulture zoning studies were calculated. An analysis of principal components identified the main factors related to climatic variability as well as the climatic indices and parameters with major discriminating scores. These indices included those selected by the Geoviticulture Multicriteria Climatic Classification System (GMCCS). Results show that 13 out of the 36 worldwide viticulture climates specified by the GMCCS appear in Galicia confirming the diversity of viticultural climates present in the region. These results also demonstrate the efficacy of the GCCM system for the differentiation of climatic types on a regional level reinforcing the system’s versatility.

DOI:

Publication date: January 12, 2022

Issue: Terroir 2006

Type: Article

Authors

José QUEIJEIRO, Daniel BLANCO and Cristalina ÁLVAREZ

Plant Biology and Soil Science Department, Vigo University, Spain.
Facultade de Ciencias de Ourense, As Lagoas s/n. 32004 Ourense, España

Contact the author

Keywords

mesoclimate, vine, Galicia, zonification

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2006

Citation

Related articles…

Territoires et zones viticoles. Aspects climatiques, pédologiques, agronomiques. Caractérisation des terroirs viticoles: une étude systémique

On assiste actuellement à l’émergence d’une demande sociale forte à l’égard de fonctions par ailleurs traditionnelles de l’agriculture, qui concernent la gestion des ressources du milieu, le maintien d’un tissu social rural, la valorisation des territoires ruraux et l’entretien des paysages.

Response of Albariño to local environmental conditions in Uruguay

Albariño is a white cultivar that has been recently promoted in Uruguay due to its ability to maintain high berry quality even in adverse climate conditions during ripening. This study aims to assess the effect of different topographic conditions on Albariño agronomic behavior and oenological potential.

Il piano regolatore delle citta’ del vino

Obiettivo generale di questo documenta è fornire un metodo di pianificazione che superi l’organizzazione delle aree rurali, ed in particolare vitate, finalizzata unicamente all’ot­timizzazione economico produttiva delle aziende, verso una pianificazione integrata degli spazi aperti.

Using atmospheric and statistical models to understand local climate and assess spatial temperature variability at a fine scale over the Stellenbosch wine district, South Africa

Atmospheric and statistical models were used to increase understanding of potential climatic impacts, resulting from mesoscale physical processes that cause significant temperature variability for viticulture within the Stellenbosch Wine of Origin district. Hourly temperature values from 16 automatic weather stations and 40 tinytag data loggers located in the vineyards were analysed.

Social and environmental impacts of the adoption of a variety of table grape in the region of vale do São Francisco – Brazil

This study explores and analyzes the socio-environmental implications associated with the cultivation of the “brs-vitoria” table grape variety. Focusing on its adoption by farmers in the vale do submédio São Francisco region in Brazil, this study delves into the diverse impacts and changes brought about since its introduction, encompassing both the social and environmental dimensions of agricultural practices in the area. Embrapa, brazil’s federal agricultural research institution, encompasses a network of 43 thematic research centers spread across the nation.