In viticulture, this term can have two meanings:
In meteorology, a common term for water that either falls to the earth in the liquid form of rain or thunderstorms and/or in the solid form of hail, sleet, drizzle or snow from clouds, or is deposited as surface precipitation directly by condensation (as in dew) or resublimation, i.e. the immediate transition of a substance from the gaseous to the solid state (as in frost) on objects such as the earth's surface. The amount of precipitation required in viticulture also depends on the respective soil conditions, such as water drainage and water storage capacity. The annual lower limit is at least 200 mm of precipitation; an average of 500 mm is required for quality viticulture and 750 mm in warmer climates with high evaporation.
Provided that the soil conditions are suitable, there is no upper limit, as rainfall of more than 1,500 mm in a short period of time can be tolerated, especially in hot regions. However, the timing of the rainfall in the vegetation cycle can be critical. Heavy rain shortly before the grape harvest, especially after a long period of drought, can cause the grapes to swell and dilute the sugar, acid and flavour content. Artificial irrigation is the responsibility of the countries within the EU and is usually regulated differently in wine legislation. The amount of precipitation is one of the criteria for so-called wine-growing suitability.
A sediment formed in wine bottles under certain conditions during bottle ageing is sometimes referred to as precipitate; see also Depot.
Thunderstorm: By FelixMittermeier on Pixabay
Rain: From Krzysztof Pluta on Pixabay
Hail: By Darkone - Self-photographed, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link
Sleet: By Hilde Stockmann on Pixabay
Raindrops: By TheSkunk - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
edited by Norbert F. J. Tischelmayer - February 2023
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