Cornelis van Leeuwen

Cornelis (Kees) van Leeuwen is a professor of viticulture at Bordeaux Sciences Agro and at the Institut des sciences de la vigne et du vin (ISVV). Kees van Leeuwen conducts research on the notion of terroir in viticulture. His work focuses on the role of an environmental constraint in the expression of wine terroir. This constraint is most often a limitation of the water supply to the vine or a limitation of its nitrogen nutrition. Kees van Leeuwen has been involved in the development and evaluation of several indicators of water regime and nitrogen status of the vine. He has also worked on the effect of climate on the expression of wine terroir. In his work, vine response is evaluated through its earliness, 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 in viticulture and the adaptations needed to produce quality wines in a changing environment.