soil profile, the vertical face of a soil, exposed by digging, that generally consists of visually and texturally distinct layers (known as horizons) which are more or less parallel to the earth’s surface. These are typically labelled from top to bottom of the profile. During soil mapping, the soil surveyor describes the properties of each layer (sometimes also sublayers) especially those that will have an impact on vine root growth. See also geology and terroir.
© Jancis Robinson and Oxford University Press 1994, 1999, 2006, 2015
