Let’s analyse the following variables:

• Temperature
  • It is a variable that has an influence on the characteristics of the region.
  • It is part of the “terroir” expression.Its influence is not a limiting factor in wine quality but it gives personality to the wine.
  • Man cannot act on the temperature regulation of the region.
• Solar radiation
  • It is a variable that has an influence on the characteristics of the region.
  • It is part of the “terroir” expression.
  • Its influence is not a limiting factor in wine quality but it gives personality to the wine.
  • Man cannot act on the solar radiation regulation of the region.
• Relative humidity
  • It is a variable that has an influence on the characteristics of the region.
  • It is part of the “terroir” expression.
  • Its influence is not a limiting factor in wine quality but it gives personality to the wine.
  • Man cannot act on the relative humidity regulation of the region.
• Rainfall
  • It is a variable that has an influence on the characteristics of the region.
  • It is part of the “terroir” expression.
  • Its influence IS a limiting factor in wine quality but it gives personality to the wine.
  • Man CAN act on this factor by irrigating the plant, in periods of stress, regulating the plant’s hydric needs according to the type of wine that will be elaborated.

These claims seem to be so obvious that maybe they should not even be mentioned but our intention is to analyse each variable in order to know when and where to act.

It is obvious to think that the climatic parameters do not have any kind of intention in relation to crop growing. It is not hot, rainy or sunny “so that” vines grow and produce excellent grapes or “so that” winemakers can elaborate good wines.

It is logical to think that the vine must adapt to the environment in order to survive and reproduce itself. It also seems logical to think that the vine is not responsible for the characteristics of the grape. It is the winemaker who is responsible for planting the most appropriate varieties taking the climatic characteristics of the area into account.

As we have seen above in the analysis of the four climatic varieties, our intervention is only possible on rainfall. If it does not rain at a given stage of the vegetative cycle and the vine needs water, we can supply it by means of irrigation. We can study the hydric needs of the plant, taking the stage of the vegetative cycle into consideration and supply the necessary amount of water. But only by studying this can we know when and how much water is needed.

Josep Lluís Pérez