What’s the deal with cool climate wines?

In a nutshell, “cool climate” refers to wine made from grapes that are grown in a cool climate. Sounds easy enough doesn’t it? Let’s delve a bit deeper.

Two of the main factors that contribute to cool climate grape growing is altitude and/or latitude. Yes, it’s time to put those high school geography hats back on. I chose history, but anyway, back to the point…an Australian wine region can be classified as cool climate if it’s located approximately 500m above sea level, or if its climate is cool, due to its latitude, for example, Tasmania.

Several varieties of grapes grow better in these cool, crisp conditions, think Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Chardonnay.

Generally, cool climate wines have a delicate nature, a distinct elegance and are quite often slightly lower in alcohol, factors that savvy consumers are being won over by.

Some of Australia’s most popular cool climate wine regions include Orange in New South Wales, the Adelaide Hills, and of course, Tassie.

Here at Cultivate Local we love a great cool climate wine.

Our top five pics;

Tertini Wines, Pinot Noir 2018
Tasmania Trophy for Best Pinot Noir at the Australian Pinot Noir Challenge 2019
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Dawning Day, Slim Dusky Pinot Rose 2019
Southern Highlands NSW Bronze at the Australian Highlands Wine Show 2019
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Swinging Bridge, Mrs Payten Chardonnay 2019
Orange NSW
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Mt Moriac, Pinot Noir 2019
Geelong VIC
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Raidis Estate, ‘The Kid’ Riesling 2019
Coonawarra SA White Wine of Provenance Trophy 2018
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Or why not head across the ditch to New Zealand?

Domaine-Thomson, Surveyor Thomson Pinot Noir 2015
Central Otago NZ
Champion Pinot Noir and Riedel Wine of the Show at the 2019 NZ Organic Wine Awards
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Katrina ArcherKatrina Archer is a writer from the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. When she’s not busy blogging about food and wine, Katrina’s passionate about writing stories for children. To see some of her work click here www.kaarcher.com.au.

 

 


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