Terroir
In oenology, a terroir is a group of plots in the same wine-growing area with a similar or even identical climate, soil and winemaking practices. The interaction of these vineyard characteristics gives rise to original wines, protected by the PGI, AOC and PDO labels.
A closer look at the definition of a winegrowing terroir
A terroir is a geographical area where the interaction between the specific characteristics of the soil, climate, topography, landscape, biodiversity and winegrowing know-how give distinctive characteristics to the wine produced there.
When applied to gastronomy, and therefore to wine, terroir goes beyond the simple notion of land, but also refers to the winegrowers who cultivate it. This concept refers to the making of unique wines, as opposed to the standardisation of the wine industry.
Aveine's Precision
The etymology of "terroir" comes from the Latin "territorium" meaning "territory".
The main components of the terroir
Soil
It is defined by its mineral composition, colour, structure and capacity to drain water, as well as by its exposure and slope, linked to its topography.
A fundamental component of the terroir, the soil serves as a support for the vinefrom which it draws minerals, nutrients and water to develop. There are four types of soil of interest to winegrowers: limestone, clay-limestone, granitic and alluvial (sediments deposited by water).
Climate
French vineyards are influenced by three major climates, depending on rainfall, temperature variation and sunshine.
| Climate | Characteristics | Wine-growing regions | Examples of PDO wines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic / oceanic | Regular rainfall, cool (< 16.5 °C) to temperate (16.5 °C - 18.5 °C), moderate sunshine and mild winters | West and South-West | Bergerac, Saumur, Muscadet, Madiran, Bordeaux |
| Mediterranean | Light rainfall, temperate to warm temperatures (18.5 °C - 21 °C), high sunshine and summer drought | South and south-east | Provence, Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Roussillon, Languedoc |
| Continental | Moderate rainfall, contrasting cool to warm temperatures, moderate sunshine, dry summers and winters | Northeast | Beaujolais, Savoie, Côtes du jura, Alsace, Burgundy, Champagne |
| Climate | Atlantic / oceanic |
| Characteristics | Regular rainfall, cool (< 16.5 °C) to temperate (16.5 °C - 18.5 °C), moderate sunshine and mild winters |
| Wine-growing regions | West and South-West |
| Examples of PDO wines | Bergerac, Saumur, Muscadet, Madiran, Bordeaux |
| Climate | Mediterranean |
| Characteristics | Light rainfall, temperate to warm temperatures (18.5 °C - 21 °C), high sunshine and summer drought |
| Wine-growing regions | South and south-east |
| Examples of PDO wines | Provence, Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Roussillon, Languedoc |
| Climate | Continental |
| Characteristics | Moderate rainfall, contrasting cool to warm temperatures, moderate sunshine, dry summers and winters |
| Wine-growing regions | Northeast |
| Examples of PDO wines | Beaujolais, Savoie, Côtes du jura, Alsace, Burgundy, Champagne |
Aveine's Precision
The organoleptic diversity of the wines is certainly linked to these three macroclimates, but also to the mesoclimate of each production commune and the microclimate of each estate.
The human hand
The winegrower's know-how is essential for revealing and sublimating the natural characteristics of a region and a vineyard. The winemaker's knowledge of oenology and the experience of previous generations determine :
- choosing the grape varieties that are best suited to them, as not all vine varieties have the same needs, and each variety expresses itself differently depending on the terroir in which it is grown,
- selecting and applying the vine-growing techniques(pruning, treatments, etc.) and wine-making techniques (vinification and ageing) best suited to the soil, climate, grape variety and wine produced.
The typicity of French wines and terroirs defended by the AOC
Both defined by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) and the National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO), terroir plays a central role in oenology. . Especially in France! It is the basis of the IGP (Protected Geographical Indication) and the AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée), characterised by an even more precise terroir than the IGP.
Their role? To protect the enhancement of natural environments through winegrowing know-how, and therefore the production and quality of inimitable wines: PGI wines, AOC wines, etc. And also PDO, (Protected Designation of Origin) wines, the European equivalent of AOC.