Vineyard Site Selection

Appears in
Oxford Companion to Wine

By Jancis Robinson

Published 2006

  • About

vineyard site selection, can be the single most important aspect of grape production in the new world, even if it is not always appreciated as such. If, for example, the new vineyard is in a cool region, then the topography of the site may be a critical factor in avoiding frost damage and the aspect chosen may be vital to ensure adequate warmth for ripening (see hillside vineyards). On the relatively rare occasions when a vineyard site may be selected in the Old World, it is, of course, just as crucial. (Most Old World vineyards have been in existence for centuries, and when a new vineyard is created, or recreated, another important consideration may be whether or not it qualifies for a certain appellation.)