Project Number
WW 13-01
Project title
Quantification of the effect of soil and climate on wine quality and character, aimed at scientific demarcation
Project leader
Conradie, W J
Team members
Carey, V A
Bonnardot, V M F
Haasbroek, P
Louw, P J E
Marais, J
Saayman, D
Van Schoor, L
Project description
The investigation was continued in Sauvignon blanc vineyards at six localities, five situated in Stellenbosch and one in Durbanville. Within each individual vineyard at least two soil types are present. The study was expanded during the past season to include two additional Sauvignon blanc vineyards in Robertson and five Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards (two in Stellenbosch, two in Robertson and one in Durbanville).
The 2000 – 2001 season was relatively dry and exceptionally warm during February. High water stress occurred during the latter part of the growing season and optimum ripeness could not be obtained for Cabernet Sauvignon under dryland conditions. However, water stress was appreciably lower for irrigated vineyards (Robertson).
In contrast to previous seasons, wines from 1999 – 2000 did not show large quality differences, but aroma profiles did differ between wines. Wine style is affected by soil as well as climate and for a specific terroir it remains fairly constant from year to year.
Presentation(s)
Conradie, W J. 1998. Die effek van grond en klimaat op die karakter van Sauvignon blanc wyn. Paper presented at the 23rd National Congress of the South African Society for Enology and Viticulture. 12-13 November, Somerset West, South Africa.
Conradie, W J. 1998. The effect of soil and climate on the character of Sauvignon blanc wine. Paper presented at the International Symposium on Terroir and Wine. May, Siena, Italy.
Conradie, W J. 2000. The effect of soil and climate on wine quality in the Coastal Region. Soil Science Short Course. 29 November, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Conradie, W J. 2000. The effect of soil and climate on wine quality in the Overberg. Soil Science Short Course. 15 March, Grabouw, South Africa.
Conradie, W J. 2001. The effect of soil and climate on wine quality. Soil Science Short Course. 17 October, Goudini, South Africa.
Conradie, W J. 2003. Effect of fertilisation and soil form on wine quality. Paper presented at the International Seminar on Grapevine Nutrition. 4 February, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Carey, V, Conradie, W J, Myburgh, K, Laker, P and Bruwer, M. 2004. The significance of plant water status as a criterion in South African terroir studies. Presentation to the Office International de la Vigne et du Vin Group of Experts. June, Paris, France.
Conradie, W J. 2004. Effects of soil and climate on wine style in the Breede River Valley of South Africa: Sauvignon blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Paper presented at the Joint Conference on Viticultural Zoning. 15-19 November, Cape Town, South Africa.
Article
Conradie, W J, Carey, V A, Bonnardot, V M F, Saayman, D, Van Schoor, L H. 2002. Effect of the different environmental factors on the performance of Sauvignon blanc in the Stellenbosch – Durbanville districts of South Africa. Part I. Geology, soil, climate, phenology and grape composition, South African Journal of Enology and Viticulture, v. 23 (2) (p. 78-91)
Conradie, W J. 2002. Grondvorm kan wynstyl grootliks beinvloed: Cabernet Sauvignon uit Durbanville en Robertson, WineLand, Mnth Nov (p. 107-109)
Paper
Conradie, W J, Bonnardot, V M F. 2004. Effects of soil and climate on wine style in the Breede River Valley in South Africa: Sauvignon blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon, IN: Proceedings of the 7th International Terroir Congress. (p. 282-287) 15-19 November 2004,
Conradie, W J, Olivier, M P. 2004. Effects of soil and climate on wine style in the Breede River Valley of South Africa: Sauvignon blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon, IN: Proceedings of the Joint Conference (SASEV, OIV, GESCO) on Viticultural Zoning. (p. 522-525) 15-19 November 2004,
Thesis
Van Schoor, L H. 2001. Geology, particle size distribution and clay fraction mineralogy of selected vineyard soils in South Africa and the possible relationship with grapevine performance. MSc. University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch.