WSET Level 2 Award in Wine Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Guide to Mastering Wine Knowledge!

The climate in Burgundy is characterized as cool to moderate, which significantly influences the types of grapes that can be grown and the styles of wine that are produced in the region. The cool climate allows for a longer growing season, which is crucial for grape varieties such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to develop their complex flavors while retaining freshness and acidity.

This cool to moderate climate leads to distinct seasonal variations, which can include colder winters, warm summers, and a relatively balanced amount of rainfall throughout the year. The specific conditions in Burgundy result in the possibility of ripening lighter-bodied wines that still offer good structure and aging potential, particularly with the nuanced flavors that Pinot Noir and Chardonnay express.

Other climate options like hot and dry or tropical do not align with the typical growing conditions found in Burgundy. These climates would produce significantly different varietals and wine styles. Continental climate, while it has elements reflective of Burgundy's weather, often implies a greater temperature variance than what is usually experienced in this region, making it less accurate than describing it as cool to moderate.