Geomorphology and wine: the case of Malvasia in the Vipava valley, Slovenia

Abstract

The concept of terroir incorporates interaction between geogenic and anthropogenic parameters and defines the typicity and quality of wine in a particular geographic area. Geomorphology represents one of the most important geogenic parameters of terroir. In 2008 we produced two wines from two different sites located within the same vineyard in the Vipava valley (Slovenia). Despite identical vine-growing and winemaking techniques, the two sites yielded grapes and wines of different quality. Both sites are identical in terms of macroclimate and bedrock, thus the differences are related to soil composition, drainage and microclimate, all directly linked to different geomorphic positions.

Keywords

• terroir
• geomorphology
• soil
• drainage
• microclimate
• wine
• malvasia
• vipava valley
• slovenia