Growing Grapevines: 45th Parallel

Notes from the Phantom Wine-O

Since I spoke about soils in the last installment, let’s talk about the
phenomenon of the 45th parallel.  While it is true that grapes are grown
in many disparate areas, if you follow the 45th parallel in both the
northern and southern hemispheres you will find that they basically
bisect the great wine-growing areas of the world.



In the northern hemisphere, if you begin in western North America,
it goes through Portland, Oregon and so lies amid the Washington, Oregon,
and California wine-making areas. Follow it to the east and you will pass
through the Finger Lake region of New York State. Cross the Atlantic and
find yourself in Bordeaux. Traveling further east and you pass through the
Piedmont region of Italy. Much further east will put you in northern China
where there are rumors that some Australian growers, with the new political
openness and the vast potential for new customers, are exploring possibilities.
In the southern hemisphere in South America the 45th passes through Chile and
Argentina.  Cross the Atlantic and it lies just below South Africa. Then cross
the Indian and it passes just below southern Australia. 

What does this prove? Nothing really, except that those temperate climates,
and especially in areas close to large bodies of water which further moderate
temperature fluctuations, have proven most hospitable to the viniferous grape.
Could it be that some wily wine-grower or maker is exploring the western
edges of the Caspian or Black Seas with the hopes of finding cheap lands and
pleasant climes?

 photo credit: sara~