Soil Flashcards
How does soil type affect a region’s wines?
Grapes grow best in poor or infertile soils, forcing the vine to struggle to find water and dig deeper with its roots.
Locations with fertile soil (the Cotes in Bordeaux for example) can produce wine, but it is often less complex and less balanced than wines produced in infertile soils.
Temperature retention is also important with soil
What are the main soil types in grape growing regions?
Granite Limestone/chalk Marl Schist Clay Sand Silt Gravel
What regions have granite soils?
Beaujolais
What regions have limestone/chalk soils?
Champagne
Chablis
Cote de Nuits
Cote de Beaune
What regions have marl soils?
What regions have schist soils?
What regions have clay soils?
Bordeaux Right Bank (be more specific about appellations)
What regions have sand soils?
What regions have silt soils?
What regions have gravel soils?
Medoc
Graves
What types of soils drain best?
What types of soils hold water best?
Clay
Important soil properties
Drainage or water rentation (a balance between the two)
Sun reflection
Nutrient content
Temperature regulation
Pest resistance (some soils have a natural resistance to pests)
