Soil Types of Interest to Viticulturists
| |||
Type
|
Description
|
Characteristics
| |
Clay
|
Smallest and heaviest soil particle
|
Fertile (good water retention and
nutrient transfer)
| |
Colder than looser-textured soils
(Slow ripening)
| |||
Higher acid, more tannic wines
Red wine grapes benefit from substantial amount of clay in soil - Particle size allows better nutrient and water uptake by tiny rootlets - Helps grape skins develop polyphenolic compounds | |||
Merlot and Chardonnay flourish
| |||
Silt
|
Next largest particle
|
Accelerated ripening due to hydric
stress
| |
Warmer; reflects more of sun's
rays
| |||
Loess
|
Mixture of clay and silt
|
Found in Germany and Austria
| |
Sand
|
Largest-sized particle
|
Most loosely textured soil
| |
Holds least amount of water
| |||
Too dry to produce high-quality
grapes
| |||
Accelerated ripening due to hydric
stress
| |||
Warmer; reflects more of sun's rays
| |||
Sandstone
|
Rock composed of bonded sand
|
Variable in density
| |
Quality wines if containing feldspar
| |||
| (Called Macigno in Chianti Classico) Erosion turns it into sand | |||
Loam
|
Combination of clay, silt, and sand
|
Fertile
| |
Rich in organic matter and nutrients
| |||
Good water retention
| |||
Vigorous, thus lowering quality
| |||
Gravel
|
Composed of quartz
|
Drains freely
| |
Excellent heat retention
| |||
Useful for late ripeners like Cabernet
| |||
Limestone
|
Composed of marine fossils
|
High in calcium (Gives wine good
structure) Can block root development
| |
| Albarese | Hardened marlstone that approximates limestone | High calcium carbonate content White or pastel
| |
Calcareous
| Soil with chunks of limestone
| ||
Marl
|
Crumbly mixture of limestone and clay
| ||
Chalk
|
Special type of limestone
|
Soft enough for roots to penetrate
| |
Cool
| |||
Almost perfect water delivery
| |||
Alkaline soil leads to high-acidity
wines
| |||
Low-vigor environment
| |||
Granite
|
Igneous rock formed in earth's core
|
Loosely textured soil when weathered
| |
Drains well
| |||
Low fertility
| |||
Gamay and Syrah thrive here
| |||
Schist
|
Igneous rock formed in earth's core
|
Loosely textured soil when weathered
| |
Drains well
| |||
Low fertility
| |||
Gamay and Syrah thrive here
| |||
Crystaline structure splits easily
into layers
| |||
Fruit, floral mineral aromas | |||
| Galestro | Highly friable clay schist (better described as shale) | ||
Shale
| Layered, hardened clay
| ||
Slate
|
Shale subjected to heat and pressure
|
Good heat and moisture retention
| |
Volcanic
|
Lava, pumice, tufa from volcanoes
| ||
| Macigno | Rock composed of bonded sand | Has a low calcium carbonate content Usually dark gray, brown, or reddish-brown | |
Source: Compiled from education.mhusa.com
Click here to see my post on the influence of soils on vine plant growth. Click here to see my post on soils and vineyard site selection. Click here to see my post on the soils of the Carso and Douro regions. Click here to see my post on Kimmeridgian soil Click here to see my post on the soils of Champagne Click here to see my post on the soils of the Beaujolais and Douro regions Click here to see my post on the soils of Burgundy Click here to see my post on the soils of the Loire Valley Click here to see my post on the Rhone Valley soils Click here to see my post on the soils of the Northern Rhone Click here to see my post on the soils of Limoux AOC Click here to see my post on the soils of Tavel AOC Click here to see my post on the soils of Sicily Click here to see my post on the soils of Mt Etna Click here to see my post on the soils of Umbria and Orvieto | |||
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