Terroir 2020 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Geological, mineralogical and geochemical influences on the cultivation of vines

Geological, mineralogical and geochemical influences on the cultivation of vines

Abstract

Aims: The aims of this study are to determine the influences of the local geology, mineralogy and geochemistry of surroundings, substrate and soil on the cultivation of vines, these as an additional factor of specificity and locality in the production of wine and definition of terroir, as well as for the discrimination of local variance of substrate and soil properties for the strategic management of cultivation plots and/or the evaluation of new cultivation regions, necessary within a scope of global climate change.

Methods and Results: Four vineyards in central Chile were selected for multiple scale geological, geomorphological, mineralogical, geochemical and landscape evolution studies. These included regional to local scale geological and geomorphological mapping, hydrological and hydrogeochemical characterization, and mineralogical, geochemical and physicochemical studies of soil-substrate profiles within contrasting cultivation plots of the selected vineyards. Selection of vineyards included two along the coastal cordillera of Central Chile (Casablanca and San Antonio valleys: sp. Pinot noir), and two along the central depression valleys of south Central Chile (Santa Cruz and San Javier valleys: sp. Carmenere). In addition to soil and substrate studies, analysis of berries and juice were carried out, in order to contrast local plot geochemistry to the chemical properties of berries, and therefore the local influence of substrate/soil properties on production. Results determine that the local geological and geomorphological conditions clearly influence the distribution of substrate-soil and water composition, texture, permeability, and physicochemical properties, influencing equilibrium of pH, Eh and chemical composition of substrate/soil/water/plant interaction, having contrasting effects on the chemistry and properties of berries and juice.

Conclusions: 

Despite a long-standing debate on the influence of geology on the cultivation of vines and how these could affect the quality of wines, results demonstrate that at least local geological and geochemical site conditions do affect the physicochemical and chemical properties of the substrate/soil interface, therefore impacting the availability of natural nutrients, the physicochemical properties of soils (pH/Eh), the chemistry of water, and permeability and texture. Variance of these properties on a local vineyard scale, even at a plot scale, influence vine growth conditions, with an impact on berries and juice, hence, defining properties which may be regionally unique. Discrimination of unique conditions may allow determination of land plot selection criteria, be it for local selection of production plots, or for the evaluation and selection of new cultivation land, especially necessary in times of global climate change.

Significance and Impact of the Study: Chile, a world prime wine producer, must adapt to climate change. At present the production of premium wines is geographically well defined, the prime vine cultivation valleys classified on the base of climate and viticulture conditions, not taking into account the local geological and geomorphological characteristics. Characterization of these conditions further south, in regions that will soon be apt for vine cultivation, is highly relevant in order to ensure new production areas will be similar.

DOI:

Publication date: March 16, 2021

Issue: Terroir 2020

Type: Video

Authors

Brian Townley*, Pamela Castillo, Sofia Lopez

University of Chile, Santiago, Chile

Contact the author

Keywords

Geology, mineralogy, geochemistry, climate change, adaptation

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2020

Citation

Related articles…

Significance of factors making Riesling an iconic grape variety

Riesling is the iconic grape variety of Germany and accounts for 23% of the German viticulture acreage, which comprises 45% of the worldwide Riesling plantings. Riesling wines offer a wide array of styles from crisp sparkling wines to highly concentrated and sweet Trockenbeerenauslese or Icewines. However, its thin berry skin makes Riesling more vulnerable to detrimental environmental threats than other white wine varieties.  

Malolactic fermentation in wine production

What influence do these bacteria have on wines? What new bacteria are being studied to carry out this fermentation? Find below articles about malolactic fermentation published in our 3 media (OENO One, IVES Technical Reviews and IVES Conference Series). OENO One...

Metabolomics screening of Vitis sp. interspecific hybrids to select natural ingredients with cosmetic purposes

Introducing natural ingredients using green chemistry practices is a major challenge in cosmetics industry to follow the market trend. Among the plants of cosmetic interest, vine products show a remarkable diversity of natural substances with high potential for the cosmetic and dermatological sectors. To date, research focuses on well-known compounds like E-resveratrol and E-ε-viniferin,

WAC 2022: Abstracts are available on IVES Conference Series

In order to disseminate the scientific results presented during the WAC 2022 , the organizers have decided to share the abstracts of the oral communications and posters with Open Access on IVES Conference Series. The fifth edition of the International Conference...

Winemaking techniques and wine tasting methods at the end of the Middle Ages

Les pratiques de vinification et de dégustation du vin sont souvent perçues, à travers un discours marketing très puissant, sous l’angle d’une tradition millénaire qui perdure depuis le Moyen Âge. En Bourgogne, il est courant de rattacher les racines de ces pratiques à l’activité des institutions ecclésiastiques qui possédaient d