Wine, Terroir and Climate Change by Dr John Gladstones
A scientific viewpoint
Charles Lewis
Wine, Terroir and Climate Change by John Gladstones
Wine, Terroir and Climate Change is a must read for anyone interested in a scientific analysis of the climatic, topographical and soil related factors influencing viticulture and wine quality.
This well researched book is written by Dr John Gladstones, a leading Australian agricultural scientist who has won many scientific and community awards. He is author of the highly acclaimed Viticulture and Environment published in 1992.
Dr Gladstones has analysed the somewhat nebulous concept of terroir by studying the components that comprise it – principally climate, soil, soil temperature, drainage, topography and their influences on the quality of grapes from a particular site. The importance of relative cloudiness, relative humidity and sea breezes is also covered.
He develops the argument that in recent years the concept of terroir has been somewhat overshadowed by fears of climate change. This book deals with climate in its broadest sense starting with the central role of temperature and then examines other climatic elements that influence grape and correspondingly wine quality.
His hypothesis is that a low diurnal range in temperature results in greater physiological quality of the grape as distinct from just sugar ripeness. Vineyards near large bodies of water whether it be the sea or lake tend to have a low diurnal range of temperature which is one factor why vineyards in these localities sometimes produce superior wine.
Organic and biodynamic viticulture is covered where he urges a scientific analysis of the differences (if any) between these two approaches. He supports the case for organic viticulture but sees no merit in the added mystical processes of biodynamics as they have not been clearly demonstrated by scientific trials to have an added beneficial effect on wine quality.
The most controversial part of this book is the treatment of climate change. To say he is a sceptic is too strong a word, however he considers that the current risk of climate change to viticulture has been overstated. He cautions against the flight of vineyards to cooler regions in the foreseeable future. This section, together with all sections of this book has been well researched and is a useful contribution to the debate on this subject.
In summary this is a very well researched book that looks at viticulture, terroir and climate change from a scientific viewpoint. If you are interested in a technical analysis of these subjects then this book is for you. I personally found it fascinating reading and it will be a valuable addition to my technical library.
Dr John Gladstones is a leading Australian agricultural scientist, with a distinguished record in the breeding, agronomy and botany of crop and pasture legumes that has earned him many scientific and community awards. The world-renowned Margaret River wine region in WA was cultivated as a result of Gladstones’ recommendations. His seminal book Viticulture and Environment (1992) was awarded ‘Special Distinction in Viticulture’ by the Office International de la Vigne et du Vin, Paris, and has been widely influential.
Wine, Terroir and Climate Change by Dr John Gladstones (Wakefield Press, 280 pp, Kent Town South Australia) retails for RRP A$59.95) and is available online here »
It is also available on booko.com.au here »
1st December 2011 Wakefield Press media release:
Wine, Terroir and Climate Change by Dr John Gladstones, the book that has the international wine world in vigorous debate, has been inducted into the Gourmand Wine Books Hall of Fame 2011.
Published by independent Australian publisher Wakefield Press, Wine, Terroir and Climate Change by John Gladstones is the first Australian book to receive this prestigious honour. 162 countries participated in the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards this year.
The books judged Best in the World in their categories will be announced at the Théâtre Folies Bergere, Paris, on 6 March 2012, prior to the Paris Cookbook Fair, 7–11 March. For further information see: http://www.cookbookfair.com
Wine, Terroir and Climate Change is a very important book. – Edouard Cointreau, Gourmand International
For anyone interested in the future interaction between climate, climate change and viticulture, this book simply has to be read. Dr John Gladstones’s painstaking research is the foundation for his equally carefully constructed conclusions that robustly challenge mainstream opinions. – James Halliday.
This is the eagerly anticipated successor to Viticulture and Environment – and it does not disappoint. Without any doubt, his views on the causes of climate change are controversial – I look forward to the debate that will inevitably ensue. – Peter Dry.
John Gladstones’s intricately researched understanding of climate mechanisms and history, geology, soil and biology has created a welcome antidote to climate hysteria. – Brian Croser.
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