{"id":850,"date":"2018-09-03T11:56:58","date_gmt":"2018-09-03T15:56:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/?p=850"},"modified":"2018-12-11T10:32:59","modified_gmt":"2018-12-11T15:32:59","slug":"terroir","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/2018\/09\/03\/terroir\/","title":{"rendered":"Terroir"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Terroir<\/b>\u00a0Definition.\u00a0Terroir<\/b>\u00a0is how a particular region’s climate, soils and aspect (terrain) affect the taste of\u00a0wine<\/b>.<\/p>\n

Wine is a living object.\u00a0 \u00a0From the time, the first roots where planted in the soil, till the grapes started to bloom and eventually be harvested, to the wine making process, bottling and then eventually in your glass.\u00a0 \u00a0All this time, the wine is living.\u00a0 It cant speak, but it can talk to you while you use your many senses.<\/p>\n

Lets first start with where the roots are planted.\u00a0 \u00a0Our first assumption, is that the overall climate is conducive to growing of grapes.\u00a0 That is the weather and climate will allow the grapes to grow and finally ripen.\u00a0 \u00a0So, then all grapes and wines will be equal?\u00a0 \u00a0No!<\/p>\n

The word Terroir\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>It combines, the soil, the slope, the sun, the climate, the winds and almost everything that comes natural within a given region.\u00a0 \u00a0Some grapes do much better o steep slopes, while some want the hot sun during the day, but a cooling breeze for the water at night.\u00a0 \u00a0Each vineyard owner, needs to analyze their overall terroir to help them determine what will be the best grape to grow to produce the best wine.<\/p>\n

The study and effects of terroir on wine has become a major science in itself.\u00a0 Analyzing the macroclimate of the area is key to determining a final product and what modifications the wine maker may need to use.<\/p>\n

In the Bordeaux region in France, many of the First growth wines, have additional vine plantings around the main Chateau.\u00a0 \u00a0They reserve the prime areas for those special 1st growth wines, but then plant additional grapes in the surrounding areas.\u00a0 \u00a0They then produce wines, under a different label and name.\u00a0 \u00a0But you could have some of the best vines\/grapes making the best wines growing on a southern exposed mild slope, and only less than 1\/4 mile away, grapes growing on a southwest exposure and step slop produces average wines.<\/p>\n

Nature plays such a key role in making the best wines.\u00a0 \u00a0 So much is out of anyone’s control, but the vineyard owners, do a lot of research and spend money on making sure where they plant is going to potentially result in the best wines.<\/p>\n

But its not all about nature, human intervention has to come into play.\u00a0 \u00a0 The wine the vines are trained<\/em> plays a key role in the development of the grapes.<\/p>\n

Some vines are made to grow upright, this allowing more\u00a0\"\"<\/a> sun to reach each grape.\u00a0 \u00a0You will find these types of vines in areas that generally do not have long growing seasons.\u00a0 \u00a0I have seen so much of these styles of vines on Long Island and most of Connecticut.<\/p>\n

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Then there are vines that grow more horizontal.\u00a0 This provides an equal amount of sun, rain, wind to reach each grape\u00a0\"\"<\/a> as they are growing.\u00a0 \u00a0This method is also somewhat easier when it comes time for harvesting, either, by hand or mechanical.\u00a0 Here is a photo of typical Zinfandel vines in California\u00a0\u00a0\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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This is all called the\u00a0\u00a0This is a trellising<\/em> system, and it\u2019s a tool used in many vine training systems worldwide.\u00a0 Grape vines, unlike trees can not support themselves.\u00a0 \u00a0Therefore, they need some aid.\u00a0 \u00a0How the vine is trellised (see above) adds these factors to the eventual product<\/p>\n

\u2022 vine balance
\n\u2022 amount of shade or sun on grapes
\n\u2022 ease of hand and mechancial harvest
\n\u2022 ease of hand and mechanical pruning
\n\u2022 amount of heat fruit gets from the ground
\n\u2022 likelihood of frost damage
\n\u2022 effect of wind<\/p>\n

As I mentioned, the final product is not all about the natural terroir, but human intervention plays a key role.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0These include decisions about pruning, irrigation and selecting the time of harvest\u00a0 \u00a0At the winery, the use of\u00a0oak, cultured or ambient yeast, length of\u00a0maceration<\/a>\u00a0and time in contact with\u00a0lees, temperature during\u00a0fermentation.<\/p>\n

In France, particularly Burgundy, there is the belief that the role of a winemaker is to bring out the expression of a wine’s\u00a0terroir<\/i>. The French word for winemaker,\u00a0vigneron<\/i>, is more aptly translated as wine-grower<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0rather than winemaker.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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  Terroir\u00a0Definition.\u00a0Terroir\u00a0is how a particular region’s climate, soils and aspect (terrain) affect the taste of\u00a0wine. Wine is a living object.\u00a0 \u00a0From the time, the first roots where planted in the soil, till the grapes started to bloom and eventually be harvested, to the wine making process, bottling and then eventually in your glass.\u00a0 \u00a0All this … <\/p>\n

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