10.11 "Terroir"ism in the Vineyard: Geology, Soils & Wine Quality - by Terry Wright, Ph.D.

Review:

On Thursday October 11, 2007, Terry Wright was his usual entertaining, illuminating and scintillating self and the wine samples certainly did not hurt. This was a return engagement for Professor Wright, who likes to be called Bwana Wright after his recent return from Africa.

His talk this time was about "Terroir" ism in the vineyards. Terry explained some of the complexities of the French term terroir, in short how the myriad of interlocking influences of weather, geology, soil chemistry and drainage produce much of the difference in vin ordinaire and that really good stuff that goes for, well, more than does the Charles Shaw many of us drink. World traveler that he is, he was still able to focus on the various terroirs of Sonoma County with geological maps showing the various wine growing regions of the county with geological diagrams to match.

Dr. Wright decided to forgo the usual persiflage of the Q and A portion of these talk and instead offer side-by-side tastings of Pinot Noirs from three distinct regions of Sonoma County. I always admired a politician who could buy votes with a little grease for the palm and now I hold Terry in high regard for influencing my voting pattern with Pinot Noir.

Science Buzz Cafe # 17 with Terry Wright, Ph. D., as he lavishes the crowd with his
liquid intelligence., October 11th, 2007

Dr. Robert E. Porter, aka 'Scientist in Residence', introduces the presenter for the evening.
Where is that Giraffe going? October 11th, 2007

Terry Wright, PH. D. stands alone and is second to none as Avatar of Sonoma Geology.
October 11th, 2007

Preview:

Terry will guide us through the multitude of factors involved in Terroir, the link between the geological environment of Sonoma County and its world-class wines. Aspects of mineral types, chemistry, soil physics, and climate of our environment are all related to wine quality. A Terroir tasting of selected local wines illustrates this connection. Bring your favorite burgundy tasting glass, there will be some glasses provided.