Wine and Climate

Timing is everything. Grapevines are hardy and can last without irrigation for many decades.

Grape growing and wine making may sound like a charming, idyllic way to make a living, but as one grape grower told me decades ago, "Don't forget: that bottle of wine you'll enjoy this evening is the result of farming. And farming is no picnic." images72/Shutterstock

One of the most problematic issues regarding wine quality revolves around the question of rain. But the rain that hit heavily on Napa and Sonoma vineyards for several days in early April caused no damage.

Indeed, it was a blessing. However, rain during the harvest season in the fall is another story. In most areas of the northern hemisphere, where grapes are grown for wine, even light rains can pose enormous problems.