This episode focuses on the “energy side” of the growing environment: temperature and sunlight, plus the natural site factors that shape them (latitude, altitude, slope/aspect, proximity to water, winds, fog/cloud, soils, diurnal range, and ENSO).

Listen for the cause–effect chain: how heat and light don’t just determine whether grapes ripen, but how they ripen — especially the pace of sugar accumulation, acid loss, colour development, and the risk of vine shutdown in extremes.

If you remember one idea: site factors are not trivia — they’re the hidden levers behind regional wine style.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe