Source: masseto.com |
I have recently written a number of posts on the Masseto viticultural environment and will use the generated data to map said environment to the Wine -- Mise en abyme (W-MEA) viticultural model (pictured below) and to compare the results to optimal situations/practices. This post will cover the elements included in the Site Selection class.
The table below shows the fleshing out of the elements of the Site Complex of the W-MEA model, the optimal or industry best practice for each of the elements, and the Masseto position in each of the areas. Data for the Masseto column have been obtained from public sources. Where reasoned guesses are substituted for real data, the entry will so indicate.
Masseto Vineyard and the Detailed W-MEA Model -- Site Complex
Complex
|
Block
|
Component
|
Attributes
|
Element
|
Optimal Value
|
Masseto Position
|
Site
|
Climate
|
Macro
|
Marine west coast; Mediterranean
|
Medit.
|
||
Average Temp.
(°C)
|
15 – 19
|
14.5 – 16.9 (Bolgheri)
|
||||
Degree Days
|
> 1750
|
|||||
Rainfall
|
Cooler Region
|
500 mm/yr
|
600-650 mm/yr
|
|||
Hotter Region
|
750 mm/yr
|
|||||
Physical Charact.
|
Elevation
|
At or near highest feasible point; within thermal belt
|
120 m at highest point
|
|||
Slope
|
Slight to moderate incline
|
10%
|
||||
Aspect
|
Cool Region
|
Cool
|
Southern
|
SE
|
||
Continental
|
Eastern, northern, northeastern
|
|||||
Shape
|
Convex
|
Convex
|
||||
Soils
|
Physical Attributes
|
Internal Water Drainage
|
> 2
in/hr
|
Clay retains moisture
|
||
Water-Holding Capacity
|
< 0 - 10 in/in
of soil
|
N/A
|
||||
Effective Rooting Depth
|
> 3
feet
|
N/A
|
||||
Moist Bulk Density
|
< 1.5 gm/cm³
|
N/A
|
||||
Color
|
Depends
|
Taupe to light brown
|
||||
Texture
|
Loam; sandy loam
|
Heavy soils with clumping clays
|
||||
Rock
|
Pebbles in upper portion
|
|||||
Structure
|
Loose clays & sand in upper; 40% clays in mid; less
clay lower
|
|||||
Hardness
|
N/A
|
|||||
Root density
|
N/A
|
|||||
Fertility
|
Low-med
|
High
|
||||
Chemical Attributes
|
Nutrients
|
N/A; assumed high due to clay content
|
||||
pH
|
6.0 – 6.8
|
N/A for vineyard; region ranges
between 6.93 and 8.55
|
||||
Organic Matter
|
1 – 3%
|
|||||
Toxic elements
|
None
|
|||||
Cation exchange capacity
|
N/A; assumed high given clay content
|
|||||
Pests and Diseases
|
Phylloxera
|
Assumed
|
||||
Nematodes
|
Assumed
|
There are no "stoppers" in the Masseto siting of its vineyard. The regional pH is somewhat problematical but can be "worked around." The fertility is not optimal but the use of appropriate rootstocks can help to mitigate the issue. While the soil is not sandy loam, clay soils are considered favorable for Merlot grapes and working the soil to mitigate clumping aids in making it hospitable for vines.
Subsequent posts will address the Vineyard Establishment and Cultural Practices Classes of the Viticultural Model.
Revised 12/23/14 to modify table headings and post title
©Wine -- Mise en abyme
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