Terroir

There are different opinions about the meaning of the T word. Let’s start with the official OIV definition of Terroir:

“Vitivinicultural “Terroir” is a concept which refers to an area in which collective knowledge of the interactions between the identifiable physical and biological environment and applied vitivinicultural practices develops, providing distinctive characteristics for the products originating from this area. “Terroir” includes specific soil, topography, climate, landscape characteristics and biodiversity features.”

We find this definition a bit convolute, but three points defining Terroir clearly stand out:

1. Collective Knowledge.
2. Distinctive Characteristics of the wines.
3. Soil, topography, climate, landscape and biodiversity.