soil potential, a viticultural term coined in South Africa to describe the ability of a soil to support vigorous vine growth, sometimes referred to as site potential. A soil of high potential will be well supplied with water (by rainfall or irrigation), nutrients, and air, and will be free-draining, promoting a large and healthy root system. Such a soil will create vines of high vigour, which in turn may require special management.
ยฉ Jancis Robinson and Oxford University Press 1994, 1999, 2006, 2015
