Richard Smart
Encyclopedia
Dr. Richard Smart is an Australia
n viticulturalist
and leading global consultant on viticulture methods, who is often referred to as “the flying vine-doctor”. He is considered responsible for revolutionising grape
growing due to his work on canopy management techniques.
(Hons) from Macquarie University
following a study of sunlight use by vineyards, a Ph.D
from Cornell University
in New York State studying under the Professor Nelson Shaulis, and in 1995 awarded a D.Sc.
in Agriculture by the Stellenbosch University
, South Africa, in recognition of research into canopy management effects on vineyard yield and quality.
Dr. Smart is the developer of the Smart-Dyson Trellis, a modification of the Scott Henry trellis, with curtains trained up and down from the one cordon, along with John Dyson of California.
Dr. Smart is the author of the book Sunlight into Wine as well as a contributor to several trade publications, and the viticulture editor of The Oxford Companion to Wine
.
He has also warned of the consequent dangers of vine infestation as temperatures rise, particularly in the case of the glassy-winged sharpshooter
, vector of Pierce's Disease
, and the aphid hyalestes obsoletus, which spreads a phytoplasma
disease Bois Noir. Higher temperatures mean both insects will be able to survive winters and move further. Hyalestes Obsoletus has recently been found in German vines.
Furthermore, he has stated that following the Earth's changes, China
is set to come to prominence as a wine producing region.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n viticulturalist
Viticulture
Viticulture is the science, production and study of grapes which deals with the series of events that occur in the vineyard. When the grapes are used for winemaking, it is also known as viniculture...
and leading global consultant on viticulture methods, who is often referred to as “the flying vine-doctor”. He is considered responsible for revolutionising grape
Grape
A grape is a non-climacteric fruit, specifically a berry, that grows on the perennial and deciduous woody vines of the genus Vitis. Grapes can be eaten raw or they can be used for making jam, juice, jelly, vinegar, wine, grape seed extracts, raisins, molasses and grape seed oil. Grapes are also...
growing due to his work on canopy management techniques.
Biography
Dr. Smart is a graduate from Sydney University with Honours in Agricultural Science in 1966. Additionally he holds the degrees M.ScMaster's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
(Hons) from Macquarie University
Macquarie University
Macquarie University is an Australian public teaching and research university located in Sydney, with its main campus situated in Macquarie Park. Founded in 1964 by the New South Wales Government, it was the third university to be established in the metropolitan area of Sydney...
following a study of sunlight use by vineyards, a Ph.D
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
from Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
in New York State studying under the Professor Nelson Shaulis, and in 1995 awarded a D.Sc.
Doctor of Science
Doctor of Science , usually abbreviated Sc.D., D.Sc., S.D. or Dr.Sc., is an academic research degree awarded in a number of countries throughout the world. In some countries Doctor of Science is the name used for the standard doctorate in the sciences, elsewhere the Sc.D...
in Agriculture by the Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University is a public research university situated in the town of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Other nearby universities are the University of Cape Town and University of the Western Cape....
, South Africa, in recognition of research into canopy management effects on vineyard yield and quality.
Dr. Smart is the developer of the Smart-Dyson Trellis, a modification of the Scott Henry trellis, with curtains trained up and down from the one cordon, along with John Dyson of California.
Dr. Smart is the author of the book Sunlight into Wine as well as a contributor to several trade publications, and the viticulture editor of The Oxford Companion to Wine
The Oxford Companion to Wine
The Oxford Companion to Wine is a book in the series of Oxford Companions published by Oxford University Press. The book provides an alphabetically arranged reference to wine, compiled and edited by Jancis Robinson, with contributions by several wine writers including Hugh Johnson, Michael...
.
Global warming changes
Dr. Smart has warned that as a consequence of the ongoing ramifications of global warming, there will be a variety of effects on viticulture, among which that some red grape varieties may lose colour, some wines will lose varietal flavor, some white varieties may disappear.He has also warned of the consequent dangers of vine infestation as temperatures rise, particularly in the case of the glassy-winged sharpshooter
Glassy-winged sharpshooter
The glassy-winged sharpshooter is a large leafhopper insect from the family Cicadellidae, similar to other species of sharpshooter.-Description:These sharpshooters are about in length...
, vector of Pierce's Disease
Xylella fastidiosa
Xylella fastidiosa, a bacterium in the class Gammaproteobacteria, is an important plant pathogen that causes phoney peach disease in the southern United States, oleander leaf scorch, and Pierce's disease, and citrus variegated chlorosis disease in Brazil.-Pierce's disease:Pierce's disease was...
, and the aphid hyalestes obsoletus, which spreads a phytoplasma
Phytoplasma
Phytoplasma are specialised bacteria that are obligate parasites of plant phloem tissue and transmitting insects . They were first discovered by scientists in 1967 and were named mycoplasma-like organisms or MLOs. They cannot be cultured in vitro in cell-free media...
disease Bois Noir. Higher temperatures mean both insects will be able to survive winters and move further. Hyalestes Obsoletus has recently been found in German vines.
Furthermore, he has stated that following the Earth's changes, China
Wine in China
Wine in China refers to grape wines that are produced in China. Grape wine has a long history in China, along with other Chinese alcoholic beverages....
is set to come to prominence as a wine producing region.
External links
- Smart Viticulture official site
- "Terroir Unmasked", Dr. Smart article, Wine Business Monthly