Soils

Question 1

What does planting in limestone impart to a wine?

Answer 1

Brings tannins to the wine. Fruitfulness is boosted.

The water retention abilities vary from composition but limestone is consistently alkaline and is generally planted with grapes of high acidity levels

Question 2

What does planting in clay soil impart to wine?

Answer 2

Brings body and structure to wine.

• soil stays cooler and also retain water
• There are several types of clay soils, including a lime rich clay called Calcareous Clay which is said to be even cooler.
• These soils are famous for producing some of the boldest red and white wines in the world.

Question 3

What does planting in sandy soils impart to wine

Answer 3

• well-drained and retain heat.
• In warm climate regions, make wines that are ‘softer’ with less color, lighter acidity and tannin.
• In cooler climate regions, benefit vineyards by retaining heat and draining well to produce highly aromatic wines.
• resistance to pests which could encourage more organic production in the wine region.

Question 4

What are the characteristics of silt soils

Answer 4

Silt soils retain water and heat.

• In cooler climate regions that have sun, the ideal silt soil sites tend to be mixed with a portion of limestone.
• Silt soils are very fine grained which makes growing roots very difficult.

Question 5

What are the effects of loamy soils on wine

Answer 5

• Loam is nearly an equal mix of silt, clay and sand as well as an organic matter called humus.
• Loam is very fertile and causes vineyards to be over vigorous
• vigor causes most loam soils to produce wines that have very little flavor and color.
• loam soils offer great potential with wines made from vineyards that have rigorous pruning regimes.

Question 6

What does alluvial soils do for wine

Answer 6

A combination of clay, silt, sand and gravel that forms over time from mineral deposits left by running water.

Question 7

calcareous soils

Answer 7

A soil primarily composed of calcium carbonate and high in chalk or limestone as well as fossilized shells

Question 8

chalk

Answer 8

Very porous soft limestone soil that vine roots can easily penetrate. It provides good drainage and works best for grapes with high acidity levels.

Question 9

granite

Answer 9

This soil warms quickly and retains heat well. The soil’s high level of acidity works to minimize the acid levels in the grapes which works well with acidic grapes

Question 10

gravel

Answer 10

Loose siliceous pebble soil that has good drainage but poor fertility. Vines planted in this type of soil must penetrate deeply to try to and find nutrients in the subsoil. Wine made from vines produces on clay gravel beds have less acidity than those planted on limestone gravel beds

Question 11

Loess

Answer 11

A very fine, silt-based soil composed of wind-borne sediment that is typically angular and decalcified. The soil has good water retention and warming properties

Question 12

Marl

Answer 12

Calcareous clay-based soil that adds acidity to the wine. Vines planted in this type of soil normally ripen later than in other soil types. Marl soil is typically deep and lacking in stone fragments