How to measure and manage the soil effect in terroir expression

Abstract

Terroir relates the taste of wine to the place where it was produced. It involves the influence of climate, soil, cultivar and viticultural practices. Huge progression has been achieved over the past years in the understanding of how the soil can shape the quality and the style of a wine. To do so, the soil effect needs to be broken into measurable factors. Once these are quantified by appropriate approaches, terroir can be mapped and managed. By fine-tuning the choice of plant material (rootstock and variety) and viticultural techniques to local soil conditions, it is possible to optimize terroir expression.