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Frost

helada (ES)
gel, gelée (F)
freeze, frost (GB)
gelo (I)
vorst (N)
frio, gelado (PO)

Climatic condition at a temperature below 0 °Celsius or 32 °Fahrenheit. In general, the air temperature is measured at a height of 1.25 metres above the ground; at this height, temperatures are always slightly higher than at ground level. In meteorology, frost at ground level is referred to as ground frost. A basic distinction is made between radiation frost and adjective frost. Radiation frost occurs on dry, clear nights with no wind, when the heat radiated from the ground or plant tissue escapes unhindered into the atmosphere due to the absence of clouds, fog or haze. The coldest (and heaviest) air sinks to the ground and collects on the surface, preferably in low-lying depressions. The adjective (meaning "added") frost is caused by the inflow of already cooled air from other places. This can come from very distant areas such as a long valley.

Frost - Weingarten mit eisüberzogenen Reben

Protection from frost

A certain degree of protection can be achieved by taking appropriate measures when planting the vineyards. A hillside location from which the cold air flows into lower areas (air drainage) and high forms of cultivation are of great advantage. Low-lying and flat areas are most at risk. Frost control in the vineyard is achieved using wind machines (or even helicopters), which artificially mix the air with the warmer air in the upper layers. Warming smoke ovens, large heaters and similar means are also used. Artificial irrigation can cause direct warming of the vines and the soil because heat is released when the water freezes or a thin layer of ice on plant parts also forms a protective coating.

Frost - Besprühen/Vereisen der Knospen als Schutz gegen Spätfrost

Late frost & early frost

In the northern hemisphere, frost in spring is generally referred to as late frost (also May frost in the month in question) and in late summer/autumn as early frost. In the course of the annual vegetation cycle, the occurrence of frost poses varying degrees of danger to the vine. In northern Europe, budding normally begins in April, when the young shoots are particularly susceptible to late frosts. Temperatures as low as minus 1 °C at the height of the vines usually cause damage. Short-term changes in temperature are particularly dangerous if, after a warm spring, budding has already taken place and then a late frost occurs. Interestingly, this does not occur so frequently in cool growing areas, but rather in warmer regions and is feared in the US state of Texas, for example. Traditionally frost-prone areas include Chablis and Champagne; in 1991, a third of the harvest was destroyed as a result. Late pruning can delay the budding full stop somewhat (1 week to a maximum of 10 days).

Frost - Spätfrost mit geschädigten Knospen

Resistance

The resistance of the vine depends on the grape variety and above all on the maturity of the wood. The rootstocks are generally more resistant to cold than the tops of the Vitis vinifera species. In frost-prone areas, we recommend planting late budding grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Clairette, Mazuelo, Monastrell, Müller-Thurgau, Trebbiano Toscano, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Silvaner. The early sprouting varieties Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, for example, are particularly at risk (although it is precisely these that thrive best in cooler regions). Grape varieties in cold regions with frost-hard winters have developed resistance (resilience) to frost. When breeding new grape varieties, this is also one of the main breeding objectives. The frost-resistant Asian species Vitis amurensis is often used for this purpose. A well-known grower of frost-resistant varieties was the American Elmer Swenson (1913-2004).

Frost - Frühfrost mit geschädigten Blättern und Winterfrost mit geschädigtem Trieb

Winter frost

Winter frost below 18 °C leads to damage to the main eyes, then to the destruction of the secondary eyes and also the trunk. The danger of late frosts is generally considered to be averted with the Ice Saints (11 to 15 May), after which they are extremely rare. In late summer and early autumn, early frosts can cause varying degrees of damage. Just a few degrees below freezing can end the vegetation and lead to defoliation of the vines. However, it is important whether the frosts occur before or after the grape harvest. If the grapes have already been harvested, this is generally not so bad. Whether damage occurs to grapes that have not yet been harvested depends on their state of ripeness (see also under Maturation).

Effects on wine

With unripe grapes, the harvest can be considerably reduced and the wines can also have a frosty flavour. Fully ripe grapes, on the other hand, are practically unaffected by frost. Temperatures from minus 7 °C are even an absolute prerequisite for the production of ice wine, although the grapes are not harvested until November at the earliest. During winter dormancy, on the other hand, the vines are relatively insensitive and can usually withstand short periods of cold down to minus 25 °C and more, unless they have been preceded by several warm days that have caused the juice to rise. In vineyards at high altitudes and in high geographical latitudes, winter frost can cause considerable damage.

Further information

For more information on this topic, see also the keywords irrigation, soil type, drought, hail, climate and precipitation.

Vineyard: Image by Gerd Altmann on Pixabay
Ice protection layer: Drouhin (Chablis)
Late frost: André Mégroz Switzerland
Early frost: By Bauer Karl - Own work, CC BY 3.0 at, Link
Winter frost: By Bauer Karl - Own work, CC BY 3.0 at, Link

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Sigi Hiss

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Sigi Hiss
freier Autor und Weinberater (Fine, Vinum u.a.), Bad Krozingen

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