What effect does a vineyard's proximity to lakes and seas have on its diurnal range?

The proximity of a vineyard to lakes and seas generally reduces the diurnal range. This phenomenon occurs because large bodies of water have a moderating effect on temperature. Water heats up and cools down more slowly than land, which means that areas close to these bodies of water experience less temperature variation between day and night.

During the day, the water absorbs heat, preventing drastic temperature increases, and at night, it releases some of that heat, keeping nighttime temperatures higher than they would be in more inland areas. This moderation creates a smaller differential between daytime and nighttime temperatures, resulting in a reduced diurnal range. As a result, grapes grown in such environments may experience a more stable temperature, which can influence their ripening and flavor development positively.