The soil component of terroir

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this paper is to review examples, taken from New World and Old World vineyards, for which soil physical, chemical or biological properties have influenced a site's terroir, expressed through the personality of the wines.

Methods and results: Literature results are presented, together with the results of new research on the control of N uptake and soil N mineralization by Sauvignon Blanc vines at a high fertility site, by withholding irrigation and using different inter-row cover crops.

Conclusion: Withholding irrigation from pre-fruit set to veraison restricted N uptake by the vines, leading to better berry quality parameters without significantly affecting Baumé oryield.

Significance and impact of study: The results confirm the importance of a regulated supply of water and N at critical stages of vine phenology for achieving optimum fruit quality.