Terra rosa (soil)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Terra rosa is a type of red clay soil produced by the weathering of limestone. When limestone weathers, the clay contained in the rocks is left behind, along with any other non-soluble rock material. Under oxidizing conditions, when the soils are above the water table, iron oxide (rust) forms in the clay. This gives it a characteristic red to orange colour.
Terra rossa is typically found in regions with a Mediterranean climate.[1]
Compared to most clay soils, terra rosa has surprisingly good drainage characteristics. This makes it a popular soil type for wine production. Among other wine regions, it is found in La Mancha in Spain and Coonawarra in Australia.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Oxford Companion to Wine (2nd Ed, 1999) at winepros.com.au: terra rossa, accessed on April 9, 2008
