Terroir 2006 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Geological characterization of plot belonging to the left bank terraces terroir of the Gaillac vineyard (Tarn, Midi-Pyrénées). Consequences on determination of choice of vegetative material

Geological characterization of plot belonging to the left bank terraces terroir of the Gaillac vineyard (Tarn, Midi-Pyrénées). Consequences on determination of choice of vegetative material

Abstract

Detailed geological analyses of a plot belonging to the « AOC Gaillac » area have been carried out. This plot belongs to the left bank terraces of the Tarn River which coinciding with one of the three main terroirs of the AOC area. It is localised on the rissian-aged (≈ 200 000 yrs B.P.) terrace composed of alluvial shelves crosscut by small valleys where the Oligocene (ca. 28 My) marly molassic basement outcrops. It spatially coincides with the terrace slope on which typical luvisols have developed composed by an eluvial silty-sandy horizon (up to 60 cm) overlying an illuvial pebble-sand level (up to 3 m) where clays and ferrous oxides are moderately accumulated. The slope terrace appears to be a unit with great potential for production of high quality wine because of its high topographic gradient combined with the thick permeable pebble-sand sequence, both triggering a high drainage coefficient. Further, combination of physical and chemical results – acidic pH and very low CEC – permits to select Gravesac rootstock adapted to well-drained acidic soils and Syrah/Fer Servadou climatic-adapted grapevine varieties as the most suitable vegetative material.

DOI:

Publication date: January 12, 2022

Issue: Terroir 2006

Type: Article

Authors

Pierre COURJAULT-RADE (1), Marguerite MUNOZ (1), Eric MAIRE (1) and Nicolas HIRISSOU (2)

(1) Laboratoire des Mécanismes de Transferts en Géologie (LMTG), UMR 5563 CNRS, 14, avenue E. Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
(2) Domaine du Moulin, chemin de Bastié, 81600 Gaillac, France

Contact the author

Keywords

AOC Gaillac, geology, morphology, vegetative material, terroir effect

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2006

Citation

Related articles…

Résistance stomatique et caractérisation hydrique des terroirs viticoles

The analysis of the distribution of natural plant populations allows an ecological characterization of cultivated environments in thermal, water and trophic terms; it guides the choice or selection of plants (or grape varieties) to cultivate (Astruc et al ., 1984, 1987; Delpoux, 1971; Jacquinet and Astruc, 1979). This approach has given good results in areas where the topography is the determining factor in the ecological differentiation of the terroirs.

Terroir and Typicity: proposed definitions for two essential concepts in the understanding of Geographical Indications and sustainable development

The content of this communication arises from the deliberations of a working group mandated within the framework of the INRA-INAO 2000-2003 research convention, which brought together INAO representatives and researchers who had worked on AOCs or PGIs, in disciplines from the sphere of the humanities (consumer science, marketing, rural development) and biotechnical sciences (agronomy, animal production science, technology, biochemistry).

Parcours de découverte des terroirs viticoles

A partir des recherches conduites sur la caractérisation des terroirs viticoles par des chercheurs de l’Unité de Recherches Vigne et Vin (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) du Centre INRA d’Angers, Terre des Sciences, le Centre de Culture Scientifique et Technique d’Angers (CCSTA) a mis au point un parcours de découverte d’une journée dans le vignoble angevin avec une approche pluridisciplinaire.

Sviluppo di una metodologia di tracciabilità e definizione dell’impronta petrochimica in suoli e vini della Sicilia occidentale nella piana di Marsala (TP)

I risultati delle ricerche condotte in un vigneto sperimentale di Marsala (TP), scelto per omogeneità di fattori bio-agronomici (età, tecniche colturali, potenzialità vegetativa e produttiva)

Great highlands wine growing terroir: conditions and expressions

During 1982 started our wine growing project at the Puntalarga Hill, between 2500 and 2600 meters a.s.l.: 5.78 ºN, 72.98 ºW. Pinot noir, white Riesling and Riesling x Silvaner crossings are the most planted grapevines. Since 1984 research and development activities are carried out on pertinent subjects.