Fog Exposure
Fog cools temperatures and helps to retain acidity in grapes.
The role of Fog Exposure in Grape Growing
An exception is extremely cold temperatures. Fog is first and foremost a moderating influence, and California’s warm temperatures are usually moderated by being cooled down.
These climates usually make lighter-bodied wines that are tart and refreshing. Grapes known for their refined characteristics including Pinot Noir and Muscadet thrive in cooler, often coastal climates that experience a lot of cloud cover.
Climate is the generalized weather patterns of a geographic location. While the climate of a region guides many decisions during the grape growing process, actual weather patterns can vary significantly.
In California Wine Country, it seems that unpredictable weather is the norm. Even inland regions can experience a substantial amount of fog. The weather patterns of a particular growing season affect that vintage’s characteristics. Anomalous fog can throw off growers who base their decisions on a region’s general climate.
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