Update in unified terroir zoning methodologies

Abstract

The concept of terroir is based on the assumption that the quality and the typicity of an agricultural product are linked to its origin. The precise definition of an origin requires zoning. Because terroir expression in viticulture is largely driven by interactions between the vine and its natural environment, soil and climate play a key role in terroir zoning. For clarity, soil-based and climate-based zoning are presented separately in this paper. They are, however, ideally carried out simultaneously, because of the existence of multiple interactions between these terroir factors. Prior to the implementation of zoning, the objectives need to be carefully defined. The appropriate scale at which the zoning is implemented depends on the objective and the available budget. The use of geomatics enables the production of maps at reduced cost and, possibly, increased accuracy. This paper is update of the unified zoning methodology which was adopted by the OIV in 2012 (OIV-VITI 423-2012).