(National Grape Magazine Editorial Published
July/August 2006)
Written by Daniel Sutton, Eco-Growth
International Pty Ltd www.ecogrowth.com.au
I listened with interest some time ago while a
vineyard manager gently explained to three foreign businessmen, that the
Australian Wine advantage came not from historical provincial placement
(such as in France), but on our ability to carefully nurture a specific
environment variety by variety through careful environmental management.
Recently this has meant new vineyards have been
fast tracked into production to produce high volumes and a speedy investor
return. Tax benefits have amplified this outcome. This has seen the
enormous success of Australian Wines grow, but has also led to the current
glut.
The opposite extreme is also of concern, where vines are starved of
moisture and nutrition, in the belief that a struggling vine will grow the
best quality grapes. In these cases loss of vine productivity and longevity
as a result of stress is seen as the norm.
In the wild, vines grew as weeds training on trees and taking
advantage on natural brakes in the forest whilst feasting from the engine
room of the woodlands, the forest floor. They did not starve, nor did they
fruit excessively.
Modern day varieties have specific needs, but all originate from
the same heritage. In short they enjoy foraging for food, grow vegetatively
when excessively fertilised, and will become senescent if stressed
excessively.
Balance is the key in all things!
Rather than focusing on the vine, take a moment to consider the
soil and surrounding environment. Balanced soil is the key to grape quality
and vine durability. A balanced soil Chemically, Structurally &
Biologically can result in steady measured early season growth,
improved fruit skin quality, mineral & flavour complexity and stress
resistance all equaling a higher quality berry.
When examining your soil test, focus less on nutrient levels, and
more on nutrient balance. Nutrient availability is the key issue. Cycling
of nutrients is a natural process, treating your vineyard more as a living
ecosystem will encourage flavour quality without senescence and consistency
without excess.
One of the glimmers of
hope amongst the current grape glut is the continued saleability of high
quality grapes reported by selected growers…
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