Dirt

• November 2009

  So it's bare knuckles eh? As far as rationality, sometimes they do almost seem ... the tree roots in, push some dirt down on it and leave it alone. Guess which one works best? In the first case, the roots grow nicely then they come to the edge of their little area, the dirt is... Read moreSo it's bare knuckles eh? As far as rationality, sometimes they do almost seem ... the tree roots in, push some dirt down on it and leave it alone. Guess which one works best? In the first case, the roots grow nicely then they come to the edge of their little area, the dirt is harder, and they turn back into the nice rich soil. Eventually they strangle themselves as the tree becomes root-bound. Same thing happens with any woody plant actually, but there's more investment in a tree because six years later your tree dies and you need to start again. So the idea is not to make life too easy in the beginning because then the tree will be lazy. Somehow the roots just know that they should seek out nutrients and they go where those are most easily found, "easily" being of course relative. Those nutrients are mostly in the upper soil layers, so the feeder roots like to spread widely. They go deeply too, especially in drier regions, but a lot of organic matter doesn't find it's way too far down. In some of the vineyards you've been to I'm sure they have grass growing between the rows. I'm sure they've done it in CdP but I can't recall who off the top, but in the Loire a few of the vineyards sliced trenches to see how the roots were growing. What they found was that in rows where they let the grass grow, the vines sent fewer roots into the inter-row space than in the vineyards where the rows were plowed. Grasses don't even penetrate that deeply but apparently they made enough of an impact that the vines didn't find it worthwhile to compete. It's increasingly used around the globe as one way of reducing the vigor of vines. It's pretty cool because it seems like relatively minor adjustments can make a big difference in the output of the vine.    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic How old are your vines? by GregT

  
  

• October 2009

  More grist for the mill: http://www.oregonlive.com/living/index.ssf/2009/10/geologists_have_the_dirt_on_wi.html Though seemingly confident in trying to debunk the minerality 'myth', the geologists et al. at the conference admit that they still don't understand just what is happening... Read moreMore grist for the mill: http://www.oregonlive.com/living/index.ssf/2009/10/geologists_have_the_dirt_on_wi.html Though seemingly confident in trying to debunk the minerality 'myth', the geologists et al. at the conference admit that they still don't understand just what is happening in the vineyard and the wineglass. Some quotes from the article: --'"I am not saying that chemistry and geology have no effect on the wine. It may have effects that we don't understand," Maltman said. "But whatever 'minerality' in wine is, it is not the taste of vineyard minerals."' --'Swinchatt agrees, but in California's Napa Valley, he's found subtle differences in soil texture that make a huge difference in grape quality. One grower told Swinchatt about a "sweet spot" in his vineyard that consistently produced his best grapes.... At another Napa site, vines growing on adjacent, similar-looking gravel-and-sand soils produced grapes consistently different in character. Swinchatt found that the two soil areas had different geologic histories: Floods laid down one, while volcanic debris flows deposited the other. "Some factors in the geology are reflected in the winemakers' tastebuds," Swinchatt said.' --'The soil's water-holding capacity can make a difference. Different soils create better or worse conditions for roots and the fungi that help roots extract nutrients. But scientists have barely started to explore these factors in vineyards.' --'Climate -- a hugely important wine-growing variable -- also is shaped by geology. In eastern Washington, the landscape is wrinkled into giant folds by north-south compression of the bedrock. As a result, "There are spectacular differences in climate over small distances," said Kevin Pogue, a geologist at Whitman College in Walla Walla.' So I'm going to go out on a limb and posit that 'minerality' is something real, that many of us can sense, but is still so delicately ephemeral as to be beyond science's present ability to understand and explain...    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic New to wine drinking and need... by dmcker

  
  

• October 2009

  Banking on Biodynamics:  An Interview with Mike Benziger   By Maggie Fox Wine ... like learning to like good dirt-grown tomatoes over bland hothouse tomatoes again.  It’s happening. Maggie:  How do you feel about advertising your certifications on the label? Mike:  My... Read moreBanking on Biodynamics:  An Interview with Mike Benziger   By Maggie Fox Wine ... like learning to like good dirt-grown tomatoes over bland hothouse tomatoes again.  It’s happening. Maggie:  How do you feel about advertising your certifications on the label? Mike:  My philosophy is that people have to buy the wine because it’s good, but that we also establish customer loyalty through our beliefs and philosophy in growing it.  Their support of our product will help create a better environment.  I can’t guarantee they won’t get a hangover from drinking our wine, but I can guarantee the environment won’t get a hangover from our making it. Maggie:  So what do you say to those who think this is just a passing trend? Mike:  I think (biodynamic wine) is a category that’s going to grow, and those who are taking the time to look into it are really benefitting.  Right now these products may cost a little more money, but I think people will see they’re getting more for their money.  The cost involved is way outweighed by both the quality and the healing abilities these practices have for the environment.  So I’m in on it for good    (hide)

  From the article Banking on Biodynamics: An Interview with Mike Benziger

  
  
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  October 2009

  Warwick Valley Black Dirt Red

  Snoothrank: Starting at $8^.99

  No written review

  Wine review by lizk83

  
  

• October 2009

  I've seen my tastes change over the decades. I started with cheap Italian and ... that so many aged Cabs ae dirt cheap! My love for Italian wine remains unchanged, northern Italian wine, high in acid preferably. I still love a great Zin, or Charbono or Barbera from California for... Read moreI've seen my tastes change over the decades. I started with cheap Italian and ... that so many aged Cabs ae dirt cheap! My love for Italian wine remains unchanged, northern Italian wine, high in acid preferably. I still love a great Zin, or Charbono or Barbera from California for that matter. The Southern Rhone leaves me a bit flat for the most part, Grenache is just not a noble grape, but the Syrah of the norther Rhone continues to ring my bell, though the spoofed stuff is as bead as any. I prefer traditionally made wines, from Burgundy, Rioja, South Africa, Australia, so my tastes are split more along stylistic lines that regional lines. Having said that I try and drink mature Barolo as frequently as possible and love me some Barbera and Chianti for weeknight drinking    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Changes in taste: what's... by Gregory Dal Piaz

  
  

• October 2009

  Paso Robles Trip Notes: I went to Paso Robles over the weekend of the 26th of ... off the beaten path down a dirt road, and feels very 'out in the country'. But the other people there that day were very chatty, and we all compared notes. The staff seemed very devoted to Stephan,... Read morePaso Robles Trip Notes: I went to Paso Robles over the weekend of the 26th of ... off the beaten path down a dirt road, and feels very 'out in the country'. But the other people there that day were very chatty, and we all compared notes. The staff seemed very devoted to Stephan, the winemaker. The tasting fee included a Reidel glass. Since this was toward the end I was, let's say, "over budget" on my wine buying. So I had decided that unless it was true, true love, I was not buying anything. Well, unfortunately it was love. Very expensive love. Oh well, you only live once! Martin and Weyrich: This place was the only one we went to on the East side, which is a lot less pretty in terms of scenery. But the tasting room is in this cute little cottage, and very welcoming and decorated in a cute, slightly funky style. The wines were pretty good, lots of Italian varietals, and again, they let us taste multiple vintages for several of them. This was also the only place where they give you a long list of wines (I just counted: 15!) and they let you pick the five you want to taste ($5 but we had a coupon so it was free). I tasted only reds, which was nice. And my husband and I shared our picks with each other, so we each could taste ten wines if we wanted to. We really liked their Moscato (which is widely available). The other one I loved was the Cabernet Etrusco. Overall, I would definitely go back again. It is close (to L.A.), accessible, beautiful, friendly, and fun. Places I wanted to go but didn't get to: Four Vines (as mentioned above), Denner, Norman, Eberle, Maloy-O'Neill, Villa Creek, Turley, Summerwood, Adelaida, Chateau Margene.    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Paso Robles Trip & Tips by lingprof

  
  
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  August 2009

  Denner Vineyards The Dirt Worshipper 2006

  Snoothrank:

  No written review

  Wine review by paultakeda

  
  
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  August 2009

  Story Winery Picnic Hill Old Vines Zinfandel 2006

  Snoothrank:

  Pretty well-contained enjoyable zin. Gentile nose with lots of dirt. Well balanced and sweet without being too sugary. Grainy short finish. Middle of the road for me.

  Wine review by solomania9

  
  
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  August 2009

  House of Independent Producers Merlot, Sunset Road Vintners 2008

  Snoothrank:

  Silliness from a Japanese wine corporation. This stuff is packaged in a bottle ... of expressing rocks and dirt, not fruit.) This stuff is a dazzling waste of money and one of the most pretentious things I've ever seen come out of the normally-civil Washington wine community

  Wine review by thepourfool

  
  
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  August 2009

  Recession Red Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

  Snoothrank:

  Nose is suprisingly pleasant (bottle was $4.99)! Great berries on the nose. A ... through a filter composed of dirt! Fungi come to mind in the mouth. Not bad for 5 clams

  Wine review by troyconquer

  
  

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