Terroir: The effect of the physical environment on vine growth, grape ripening, and wine sensory attributes

Terroir can be defined as an interactive cultivated ecosystem, in a given place, including climate, soil, and the vine. Wine sensory attributes are influenced by terroir. The first condition for high terroir expression is that the precocity of the grapevine variety should be suited to the local climatic conditions in such a way that full fruit ripeness is reached by the end of the growing season. The second condition is that vines should experience a factor limiting yield and vigor, e.g., water deficit stress or low nitrogen availability. Because terroir involves many factors, related to both the plant and the physical environment, terroir must be studied by a pluri-disciplinary approach. Terroir expression can be optimized through adequate plant material and vineyard management.