Independent grape growers hosting seminar Aug. 17
Author of a new controversial book about wine growing is coming to Paso Robles
–The Independent Grape Growers of the Paso Robles Area, or IGGPRA, will be hosting Mark Matthews, professor, viticulturist and now author of the recently published and somewhat provocative “Terroir and Other Myths of Wine growing” for a speech at The Paso Robles Inn on Wednesday, Aug. 17, from 12 – 3 p.m.
Matthew’s presentation is a segment of ongoing educational seminars presented by the Independent Grape Growers of the Paso Robles Area (IGGPRA). The seminar is entitled “Terroir and Other Winemaking Myths” will also feature Halter Ranch Vineyard & Winery winemaker, Kevin Sass, who will be speaking about “The Influence of vineyard conditions and practices on wine quality.”
Matthews – who came to the study of wine growing first as an agronomist and plant physiologist, said the more he worked with viticulture, the more he found that some of the viticulture models were inconsistent with crop science and plant physiology. The discrepancies motivated him to experiment to find out how terroir and other vineyard management concepts “have played out in the written record, and to hold those ideas up to the available objective and empirical evidence.”
“For much of the received wisdom on the nature of wine grapes, there is a disparity between the passion behind each belief and the supporting evidence,” Matthews says. “The models of wine quality are cultural and ephemeral, but plant interactions with the environment are not.”
According to Matthews, plant science and what we know about wine production has changed significantly over the years, but that the traditions and stories of why certain wines are deemed best remain unaffected. He says it is time that terroir, yield and its impact on quality and other important factors be critically and empirically reviewed so the discussion about grape-growing paradigms can objectively take place.
IGGPRA president, Lowell Zelinski, who developed the seminar, is a former UC Davis colleague of Matthews. When Zelinski first heard about the book, he thought it was an important topic that the wine industry should bring to light.
“As a scientist I am always looking for empirical evidence,” Zelinski said. “Come find out whether our notion of terroir is just a fairy tale or if the emperor is wearing no clothes.”
The meeting is open to the public. Register online at www.IGGPRA.com. Admission includes lunch and limited seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The cost to attend is $50/pp and $25/pp for IGGPRA members. A 20-percent early registration discount is available through Aug. 12.
Comments
