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Monday, December 22, 2014

Evaluation of the Masseto Vineyard against the W-MEA Viticultural Model -- Site Complex

Masseto is one of the the world's leading Merlot wines and its 6.63 ha vineyard is ensconced within the confines of the larger Ornellaia vineyard in Bolgheri, Tuscany.


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
 N/A
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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