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Viticulture - Soil

Q: What are the 4 factors that influence the quality of wine?

Soil Climate Type of grapes Viticulture practices

Q: How is the soil composed?

2 layers: TOPSOIL: made of humus, formed by decomposed leaves, grass and other plants SUBSOIL: major influence in the quality of the wine because it consists of minerals such magnesium and nitrogen. It contributes to the wine complexity

Q: What soil-related criteria should be followed to make quality wine?

Top soil not too rich --> wine will produce too many clusters and the wine will be diluted and watery Vine produce not to many grapes --> winemakers have to find a good balance between the volume of grapes produced and the desired quality Soil rich in microorganisms and earthworms Vines able to dig into the different layers of the soil in search of as many nutrients and minerals as possible. Soil should be well drained and porous --> deeper into the soil to get water, there are 2 ways do to this and their are ofter used together

Q: What are the 2 ways to make sure that the soil id draped and porous and that the vine can get deeper into the soil to get water?

Let grass grow on the topsoil --> The grass will feed on the first layer of the soil to get its nutrients, which means the vine has to dig deeper to find nutrients. Encourage competition by planting the vine closer together --> Higher density means each vine will produce fewer clusters. Consequently, the wine will gain in quality and concentration.

4 important questions on Viticulture - Soil

What are the 4 factors that influence the quality of wine?

Soil
Climate
Type of grapes
Viticulture practices

How is the soil composed?

2 layers:

TOPSOIL: made of humus, formed by decomposed leaves, grass and other plants
SUBSOIL: major influence in the quality of the wine because it consists of minerals such magnesium and nitrogen. It contributes to the wine complexity

What soil-related criteria should be followed to make quality wine?

Top soil not too rich --> wine will produce too many clusters and the wine will be diluted and watery
Vine produce not to many grapes --> winemakers have to find a good balance between the volume of grapes produced and the desired quality
Soil rich in microorganisms and earthworms
Vines able to dig into the different layers of the soil in search of as many nutrients and minerals as possible.
Soil should be well drained and porous --> deeper into the soil to get water, there are 2 ways do to this and their are ofter used together

What are the 2 ways to make sure that the soil id draped and porous and that the vine can get deeper into the soil to get water?

Let grass grow on the topsoil --> The grass will feed on the first layer of the soil to get its nutrients, which means the vine has to dig deeper to find nutrients.
Encourage competition by planting the vine closer together --> Higher density means each vine will produce fewer clusters. Consequently, the wine will gain in quality and concentration.