What is Terroir?

How many times have we heard: "This wine is the faithful expression of the region's terroir". 

But after all, what does terroir mean and what is the influence it has on wine?

As the written word, the concept of terroir originated in France and has no translation in any other language. Because of this, hence it is used by all wine regions in the world.

Terroir is a concept and not just a thing. It indicates all the physical and biological environment surrounding the vineyards and all the oenological practices applied responsibly for the distinctive characteristics of the products originating from an area.

In more detail, we can say that these four factors: the climate, the soil, the topography and traditional practices give the identity of a wine.

Climate
Wine regions can be basically divided into two types of climates: cool climate and warm climate. Vines from cold climates ripen slower and have lower sugar levels due to lower average temperatures and the differences between maximum and minimum temperatures during days and nights. In general, wines from these climates preserve their natural acidity and tend to be less alcoholic. On the other hand, vines from warm climates produce grapes with higher sugar content. The maturation is quicker, and generally, the alcohol content of these wines tends to be higher and retain less acidity.

The challenge for winemakers is precisely to balance all these factors. The grapes should be ripe but without losing the necessary degree of acidity to make good wine. While we may consider the soil and its topography of a geographical location is fixed, some does not happen with the climate. A vineyard may have several microclimates, which will offer yet another challenge to the winegrower. Nowadays, it is common to perform partial harvests for this reason.

Soil
There are hundreds of types of soils and, the composition of their rock and organic matter is decisive. Through their roots, the vines capture the water and nutrients necessary for their growth and development. Therefore, what they take from the soil will affect their shape, flavour and aromas. The agricultural practices used, such as, for example, the fertilizers used or the planting of other species, will also affect the composition of the soil.

Topography
Another influencing factor is the altitude, the relief of the land and the vineyards solar exposure. For example, the slope directly affects how the water drains when it rains in a mountainous area and how the sun falls on the vines. Winds also circulate differently depending on the relief of the land, and the proximity of rivers, or the sea, affects the climate itself, the humidity and the soil.

Traditional practices
Traditional vine growing and winemaking practices can contribute to a wine's terroir. The planting, vine training method, pruning, choice of grape varieties and winemaking methods adopted are also determining factors.

And it is the combination of these 4 factors that makes up the much acclaimed terroir. The winemaker must be understood these elements to the wine express the originality, uniqueness, and character of the place from which it comes. This is what distinguishes a good wine in the world - "a good wine must let the terroir speak".