Term
| A combination of clay, silt, sand and gravel that forms over time from mineral deposits left by running water? |
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Definition
Alluvial-
Mendoza, Argentina (high elevations)
Rutherford, Napa Valley- 3 Alluvial fans
Central Italy |
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Term
| A soil primarily composed of calcium carbonate and high in chalk or limestone as well as fossilized shells? |
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Definition
Calcareous-
Alsace, France
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Term
| A hard and granular rock with a high content of crystals, particularly quartz. |
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Definition
Granite-
Rhone, France
Alsace
Loire Valley
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Term
| A volcanic soil composed mostly of basalt, which is in turn a hard and dense soil that often has a glassy appearance. |
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Definition
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Term
| A soft soil made primarily from fossilized shells |
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Definition
Limestone or Chalk-
Australia, Terra Rosa in Coonawara
Italy
Alsace
Burgundy |
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Term
| A crumbly mixture of clay, sand and silt |
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Definition
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Term
| A crumbly mixture of different clays as well as calcium and magnesium carbonates with fossilized shells mixed in. |
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Definition
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Term
| A combination of silica and sand compacted together by pressure and time. |
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Definition
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Term
| A metamorphic rock derived mostly from clay, but it can be made from several other rocks and is a soft rock that flakes and breaks easily. |
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Definition
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Term
| Layers of clay-like, fine grained sedimentary rock. On the surface where the shale breaks it ofter forms beds of sharp fragments. |
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Definition
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Term
| A mix of silica, calcium carbonate and sometimes volcanic ash that has been deposited over time by streams, lakes and other water sources. |
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Definition
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Term
| What is the primary soil of Mendoza, Argentina and what is special about it? |
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Definition
| Sand, granite, schist and alluvial deposits at very high altitudes. Above average sunshine hours during the day and very cool evenings with dry Mtn. air. Long growing season= spicy Malbecs, rich Cabernet and Bonardas. Soils said to give wines high amounts of reservatrol and antioxidants |
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Term
| What are the soils of Coonawarra, Australia, and what unique properties do they portray? |
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Definition
| Limestone soils over a sandstone base is red, or Terra Rosa. Former coast line, the drying as exposed the iron. Rich in nutrients and minerals and well drained. Good for Cab.Sauv. |
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Term
| Priorat Spain, what is the unique soil of this area? |
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Definition
| Llicorella, a mix of dark slate and quartzite from the Paleolithic times and glitters in the sun. Rocky and free draining and water is found down by bedrock. Good for Syrah, Grenache and Carignan. |
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Term
| Tuscany, Italy. Soil and varietals? |
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Definition
| Many soils from tufa and volcanic soil to sandstone and limestone. Of note, higher altitudes good for Vernaccia and rocky low-vigor soils of Chianti and Montalcino good for Sangiovese. Many grapes work in Tuscany. |
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Term
| Ch. NdPape, France soils and and what is special about the conditions? |
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Definition
| Pudding stones, or galets, are smooth oval shaped and collect and radiate heat resulting in spicy, rich, full bodied wines like Syrah and Grenache. |
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Term
| Soils of Alsace? Why so special? |
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Definition
| Famed for variety of soils and conditions. Mix of 20 different soils protected from weather and facing the sun: Sandstone of Kitterle, Limestone of Zinnkoepfle, Granite of Brand & warm volcanic soils of Rangen...Riesling prefers the rich granite, limestone clay for Gewurtz... |
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Term
| Rutherford, Napa Valley soil and what is unique about it? |
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Definition
| Alluvial fans of sand, loam, sandstone and limestone giving grapes a certain dusty, spicy influence that has been coined 'Rutherford Dust' |
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Term
| Soils of Bordeaux, France? Be specific. |
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Definition
| Left bank, formerly marsh land converted by the Dutch, now croupes, or mounds of gravel that is famed. Further south more gravelly and on Right bank clay soils dominate. |
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Term
| Mosel, Germany soils and what is special about it? |
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Definition
| Slate along river and on steep, weather protected hills perfect for Riesling. Deep blue-gray soils in Sonnenuhr. Deep red volcanic soils in Urzinger Wurzgarten. Wines vary greatly by vineyard because of the winding river Mosel. |
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