The combination of the soil, dry heat and altitude give the wines a lifted texture, purity of fruit and obvious finesse.

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The local speciality is cozido, a rich stew made of kale, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, pork, beef, chicken and sausages, cooked for six to seven hours in the soil's geothermal heat.

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On thermal satellite images, the soil here seemed to retain its heat unusually well a sign that it might contain clay or other hydrated minerals.

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High demand for water amid the heat wave and problems with soil shrinking as the ground warms has resulted in burst pipes and low water pressure in Oklahoma City, prompting officials to issue mandatory water-use restrictions for the first time in at least a decade, according to utilities department spokeswoman Debbie Ragan.

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Species of plants, insects, and bacteria that lay dormant in the soil are brought to life, energized and fertilized by the super-heat of the fire .

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With the right combination of daytime heat and a smattering of light rain at night to cool the soil, they stand a chance of creating a standout vintage.

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