Major Soil-Related Factors in Terroir Expression and Vineyard Siting

A “terroir” is a cultivated ecosystem in which the vine interacts with the soil and the climate. The soil influences vine phenology and grape ripening through soil temperature, water supply and mineral supply. Limited water supply to the vines is critical for reaching a suitable grape composition in order to produce high quality red wines. Soil nitrogen availability also plays a key role in terroir expression. Ideally, vineyards should be established in areas where soil temperature (relative to air temperature), soil water-holding capacity (relative to rainfall and potential evapotranspiration) and soil nitrogen availability are optimum for the type of wine to be produced. Terroir expression can also be optimized by choosing appropriate plant material and via vineyard floor management techniques.