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Vineyard The root of a good wine!

do you want to know what a vineyard is? Which are the best in the world? Characteristics of each one. The planting of vitis vinifera is an art that contains in itself a whole system. It is in charge of successfully planting the vines that will make life in the vineyard and that will generate quality grapes.

what is a Vineyard?

A vineyard is a plantation of vines for the production of table or wine grapes. It is also an extremely delicate plantation since the grape clusters are very fragile to the different climatic phenomena that may occur.

Vineyards have small bushes that generate the bunches of grapes that are their main fruit and which are also fragile but very productive, depending on the vine being cultivated. In general, these vineyards are aligned leaving a prudential space between the vines, so that the vine growers can get between the rows to remove the product of their work without damaging or mistreating the bush.

Characteristics of the Vineyard

For a vineyard to be successful it is necessary that it has certain characteristics that also have a direct influence on the quality of the vines planted in it, these determining factors are:

  • Soil
  • Climate
  • Viticulture

viñedo

Soils

The physical properties of vineyard soils are very important as they influence the quality of the wine, as well as the chemical properties and the food web it offers to the crop. For a vineyard to be successful, it is necessary that the soil is well drained, this allows a perfect balance between adequate soil depth, the drainage itself, and the high capacity to retain water.

In this way the vine plant will not suffer too much during the summer, and the soil is able to quickly drain the water if it rains during the fruit ripening period. It is also essential when establishing a vineyard to consider the characteristics of the soil surface.

The effects of solar reflection and re-radiation on the soil are fundamental in determining the quality of the fruit. Especially in cold regions where every unit of heat is necessary for the grapes to ripen fully. Determining the type of soil is one of the most important phases in establishing the vineyard and structuring the vineyards, as it has a direct influence on their quality.

Climate

Climate acts as the main cause of variation in wine quality, and also influences the determination of which varieties can be grown in specific regions. In general, the types of climates related to the geographical location of the vineyard are temperate. This climate is characterized by average annual temperatures between 10ºC and 20ºC and average rainfall between 500 mm and 1,000 mm per year. The types of temperate climates where the vineyards are generally located are:

Continental climate

This type of climate is common in central Europe and is characterized by marked seasonal changes and rainfall throughout the year. Its main advantage is that it has cool temperatures during the fall that help to maintain the acidity and more subtle aromas of the grapes. Its disadvantages are that summer rains increase the risk of fungal diseases and very low temperatures in autumn delay or prevent full ripening of the grapes.

Oceanic or Maritime Climate

This type of climate is found on the west coast of Europe. Seasonal variations in temperature are moderated by the sea, so it can have cool summers and mild winters. Thanks to the proximity to the water, rainfall is abundant and distributed throughout the year, but its great dangers are the humidity that causes fungal diseases and the rains that can occur in periods close to the grape harvest.

Mediterranean climate

This is the usual climate in the south of Europe, characterized by dry and warm summers and mild and humid winters. Rainfall occurs when the vines are at rest and fungal diseases cannot damage them, while summer can be extreme in some areas, making it necessary to water constantly to avoid compromising the harvest.

what are the types of soil to locate a vineyard?

As we have seen above, the soil plays a fundamental role in determining the type of wine to be produced, which is why you should know what types of soil exist:

Clay soil

This soil is characterized by retaining nutrients and water well, which in turn generates a production of wines with volume, tannic, not very high alcohol content and very elegant.

Sandy Soil

This type of soil provides a faster maturation for the cultivated vines and is characterized by needing little water for its maturation, generating a production of soft, bright, aromatic wines with low alcohol content.

Garanitic Soil

This type of soil allows for the gentle ripening of the vines, so we can find that they produce harmonious, aromatic, frank and very clean wines.

Slatey Soil

It is the soil with little organic matter, they are poor and shallow soils, considered as hot soils that favor the alcoholic degree, so we can find wines with mineral flavor, complex accompanied with toasted notes.

Volcanic Soil

This type of soil filters water very well and retains the sun’s rays, making it a good soil when choosing to plant a vineyard. Its wines are characterized by being aromatic, mineral and smoky.

what is a vineyard?

A vineyard is the total space that makes up a vineyard, which is composed of planting vines that will produce vines for wine or for consumption. The vineyard is also made up of all the personnel who work in the vineyard and who are responsible for the production and good management of the place as well as the machinery for the elaboration of the final product.

The 8 best vineyards in the world according to experts

Determining which are the best vineyards in the world is not an easy task, so experts must study the soil conditions, climate and winemaking methods that generate a quality final product. So we have brought the best vineyards according to the experts’ opinion.

Zuccardi Uco Valley

This is a vineyard located in the town of Mendoza, Argentina, and has been recognized as number 1 thanks to the quality of its wines which seek to express the best of the region.

Garzón Winery

This winery is located in Maldonado, Uruguay, and has been recognized as the second best vineyard in the world thanks to its tradition and the quality of its wines, which are designed to make all the senses enjoy.

López de Heredia Viña Tondonia

It is a winery located in the city of Haro, capital of La Rioja Alta, Spain, and is characterized for being a vineyard with 142 years of history.

Quinta do Crasto

It is a vineyard located on the right bank of the Douro River, Portugal, and is characterized for having more than 100 years producing quality wines thanks to the privilege of its land and climate.

Montes

This is a vineyard located in the Colchagua Valley, Chile, which has 30 years of experience in winemaking, and seeks to innovate every day to present quality wines.

Rippon

It is a vineyard located in New Zealand recognized as one of the best of this 2019 thanks to the great quality presented by its wines, its climate and soil manage to give unique vintages.

Marqués de Riscal

It is a Spanish vineyard that since 1858 is producing the best wines, their commitment, work and the quality of their vines has managed to win worldwide recognition, which has led them to position themselves as one of the most prestigious wineries.

Weingut Dr. Loosen

It is a vineyard located on the Mosel River in Germany, which has managed to innovate in its winemaking method by introducing mechanisms that avoid the use of chemical fertilizers, which has allowed to obtain tastier wines of unsurpassed quality.

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