VAN LEEUWEN Kees

Professor of Viticulture

Cornelis (Kees) van Leeuwen is professor of viticulture at Bordeaux Sciences Agro and at the Institut des sciences de la Vigne et du Vin (ISVV). Kees van Leeuwen’s research focus on the notion of terroir in viticulture. His work focuses on the role of an environmental constraint in the expression of winegrowing terroir. This constraint is most often a limitation in the vine’s water supply or nitrogen nutrition. Kees van Leeuwen has participated in the development and evaluation of several indicators of water regime and nitrogen status in vines. Kees van Leeuwen has also worked on the effect of climate on the expression of wine terroir. In his work, vine response is assessed through precocity, growth and development, and grape constituents at maturity. Particular attention is paid to the aromatic potential of grapes in relation to environmental factors. He participated in the development of the GFV (Grapevine Flowering Veraison Model) phenology model. An important aspect of his research is the study of the effect of climate change on viticulture and the adaptations needed to produce quality wines in a changing environment.

Other activities

Kees van Leeuwen trained as an oenologist, before switching to the study of wine-growing terroirs during his doctorate. He was technical director for Château Cheval Blanc (Saint-Émilion) and was a consultant for 25 years for this estate, in charge of research and development activities. He has produced or participated in the production of numerous soil maps for wine estates and appellations. Kees van Leeuwen is founder and editor-in-chief of the scientific journal ŒNO One. He also writes regularly for the Dutch magazine Perswijn.

Areas of research

Ecophysiology, terroir, grapevine water regime, mineral nutrition, phenology modeling, effect of climate change on grapevine cultivation.

Keywords

Vine, terroir, water regime, nitrogen nutrition, aromas, phenology.

Research unit

UMR EGFV
Institut des Sciences de la Vigne et du Vin (ISVV)
Doctoral school: Life and Health Sciences