Virtually all of the significant Wine producing countries are situated between 30-50' latitude North or South. Within these areas, the temperature tends to be moderate and generally most well suited for the growth of healthy grapes with distinctive character that can be made into acceptable wine. In reality grapes are produced for making into wine in virtually all countries around the globe but if you are offered a wine from Norway (far too cold!) or Southern India (pretty hot last time I was there) then beware - they may be acceptable drinks, but unless you know the producer well then the chances are that you will be grossly disappointed. 

The nearer a grape growing region is to the North or South Pole, then the cooler the growing conditions will tend to be. A cool climate is most appropriate for growing white grapes which in turn will be responsible for lighter crisp and refreshing styles of wines - The warmer areas are more suited for growing red grapes; here the higher temperature will enable later ripening red varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon to reach optimum maturity. As a result of these conditions the grapes will tend to be riper and sweeter which will potentially result in wines with a greater alcohol content and as a result greater body.

Southern Hemisphere - New World Wines 

These wine regions include Australia, Chile, South Africa and New Zealand.

Although many of these areas actually have a long respectable history of winemaking - in excess of 300 years in the case of South Africa - the reality is that they have only been producing and perhaps more importantly exporting wines of quality in any significant quantity in the last 20-30 years. A combination of technical excellence, modern equipment and enviable growing conditions for the production of consistently ripe grapes has resulted in a great range of fruit dominated wine styles that have proven exceedingly popular with consumers around the world (even in France!)

The hot growing conditions can often result in over-ripe and jammy flavours which are not typically associated with ‘fine wine'. The wines do tend to be extremely consistent and these countries now have an enviable reputation for the production of good value commercial wines. The better quality wines of the New World tend to be found in the cooler regions

Northern Hemisphere - Old World Wines

These wines include the ‘classic' wine producing countries of France, Italy and Spain.

Within these wine producing countries are a number of areas that are practically household names, such is their history and association with the production of fine quality wines; these regions include Chablis, Barolo, Rioja and Bordeaux, as well as some more recently ‘discovered' areas such as Galicia in Spain (renowned for its Albarino), Sicily (Nero d' Avola) and the Vin de Pays d'Oc region of Southern France that is producing some excellent quality varietally labelled wines.

The challenge with the relatively cool Northern hemisphere grape growing regions is to find enough sunlight so that grapes do reach full maturity. When this happens, the combination of a long cool growing season that preserves the true delicate flavours of the variety, in association with balanced fruit ripeness can result in wines of the highest quality. Unfortunately these perfect conditions do not happen every year and as such the vintage i.e. year in which the grapes are grown, assumes far greater importance in the cooler areas of the Old World.

The variety of grapes permitted to be grown in a particular area is often defined by the local Appellation law. For example only Chardonnay and Aligote (!) are permitted white grape varieties in the region of Burgundy

The challenge for the winemaker, no matter where in the world he is working is to produce a great tasting glass of wine; Hopefully one that truly reflects the grapes from which it has been made and for the higher quality wines it should show also show a character that is defined by the vineyard in which the grapes are grown.