Did you know the French dictionary of 1690 described terroir as ‘disagreeable quality’ or impurity that affects the wine? It goes as far as an elite group of people rejecting terroir-expressive wines as inferior and contaminated and dirty. So, how did it change from blemish to hauteur?
Read on to find out the facts, myths, and meanings of terroir in the following article.
The Origins of Terroir
The word terroir originates from the Latin word ‘Terre’ meaning Earth. The French define it as the ‘sense of place’ after observing the nuances between wines across different lands in the same vintage or varietal. However, Greeks had the tradition of sealing their amphorae with the name of the geographical region while the Benedictine monks preferred grapes of Burgundy for the same reason.
Terroir is so well-accepted today that the French have government classifications such as AOC to protect specific wine-growing regions.
How Does Terroir Influence Wine?
Take a look at how terroir affects the taste of wine, which influences the face and price value of the wine it produces.
Soil
- The composition of soil adds to the flavor of the grape.
- Surface changes of the soil influence the ability to assimilate nutrients and sunlight.
- Drainage of the soil helps to create concentrated flavors.
Vegetation
- Flora surrounding the wines influences water and nutrient absorption.
- Microbialactivities can change the taste of the wine.
Geomorphology
- Altitude affects the ripening of the grapes.
- Slope direction affects the sunlight received by vines, which is the same as the degree of the slope.
- Placement of the vineyard next to the coast or otherwise influences the temperature changes.
Atmosphere
- Sunlight affects the sugar and ripening rate.
- Precipitation and humidity improve the growth and protection from vine diseases.
- Wind can regulate the growth of grapes.
- Fog improves the chances of noble rot.
- Temperature variations influence the maturation of grapes.
5 Common Terroir Myths
Discover the reality behind the five controversial myths about terroirs below.
You Can Taste The Rocks
A vine needs between 14 and 16 different nutrients that are mostly sealed inside the rocks underground, which can’t be absorbed until dissolved. In short, you can’t taste slate, flint, or granite in your wine.
High Yield Low Quality (HYLQ)
Many vintners preach that low yield creates better quality wines by maintaining balance. However, prominent viticulturists proved with scientific data that yield doesn’t influence the terroir.
Man Made Efforts Don’t Affect Terroir
Human heritage is often conveniently removed from terroir markers. However, terroir changes when the vignerons change the soil makeup by treating bugs, restricting yields, and so on.
Terroir Produces The Best Wine
Devin Shomaker’s vineyard on the terrace of his Brooklyn apartment is proof that great wines can be made anywhere.
Big Bad Berry (BBB)
Winegrowers claim that small berries help in making the best of wines. According to research by Markus Keller and team, it was found that berry weight had no influence on the taste of wine.
Wines From World Class Terroir
Rather than finding the best wines by terroir on your own, take a look at the following red and white wine club options along with their featured wines from different terroirs.
Laithwaites
Explore the unique taste of Burgundy terroir with Julien Bouchard Coteaux Bourguignons made from Gamay. Tasting of red berries, the wine goes best with poultry dishes.
WSJwine Club
Find out what makes the Bordeaux terroir exclusive with Jean-Pierre Moueix Bordeaux 2015 from this red wine club. It’s a Merlot blend that highlights hints of plum when paired with red meats.
VINEBOX
Tasting of red fruits and spices, Dumas Brouilly from Beaujolais is an AOC classified wine with a medium body. It complements aged cheeses very well.
Bottom Line
While most oenophiles say terroir is the sense of the land in the glass, it’s defined by sommeliers as the seal or guarantee of the soil. Although there are myths about terroir, there are indisputable truths too.
Register today for an online wine club to discover the elusiveness of terroir for yourself.