Soil and the Environment - Soils for Fine Wines - page 3

Box 1.1 Terms to Describe Wine

Quality An official wine designation in the European Union (EU), which
recognizes quality wine as the higher of two general categories of wine. The
first category is “quality wine,” which must be produced in a specified region
defined according to climate and soil type, planting material, cultivation
methods, and yield; and the second is “table wine.” The quality of wine in
each of these categories can vary widely (Robinson 1999). In the New World,
quality is not officially defined, but is commonly considered to depend on
fruit properties and the wine makers skill (section 9.2.3).
Aroma A tasting term for a pleasant smell. In wine tasting, aroma generally refers
to the smells associated with a young wine, as distinct from the more complex
aromatic sensations resulting from the aging of a wine. Noble et al. (1987)
developed the “aroma wheel” as a standardized approach to the sensory
evaluation of wines and to define the terminology objectively.
Bouquet A French word, adopted in English, to describe a bunch of flowers.
Whereas “aroma” relates more to the variety of grape, “bouquet” refers more
to the complexity of smells associated with a mature wine (Robinson 1999).
Nose A versatile word used to mean smell, aroma, or bouquet; a very important
component of tasting a wine (Robinson 1999).
Personality A combination of aroma and bouquet; a complex biological alchemy
reflecting the terroir , especially the soil and geological attributes (Pomerol
1989).
Character

A synonym for “personality.”

• Vignerons must demonstrate that their activities do not adversely affect the
environment. Adverse impacts can arise from the use of pest- and disease-
control chemicals, fertilizers, and water, and the disposal of waste materials
from the winery, through to cultivation that predisposes to soil erosion.
These are some of reasons why grape growers, wine makers, consultants, ad-
visers, and wine writers should have a basic knowledge of the soil on which vines
grow. Whether we accept the French view that terroir , incorporating the soil, is
an all-important determinant of wine character and quality, or the more prag-
matic view of the New World that good wines can be produced from most soils,
the soil cannot be ignored as an integral component of wine growing . This topic pro-
vides a basic knowledge of soils for viticultural use for those who make wine and
enjoy wine, and who have a keen interest in the environment.

Basic Concepts of Soil

1.2

The Soil as an Interface
The soil is at the interface between the atmosphere and the lithosphere (the man-
tle of rocks making up Earth's crust). It also has an interface with bodies of fresh
and salt water (collectively called the hydrosphere ). The soil sustains the growth of
many plants and animals, and so forms part of the biosphere .
As a result of being situated at these interfaces, the nature and properties of
a soil are influenced by the following key factors: weathering of rock materials—

1.2.1