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