Terroir 1996 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Viticultural zoning in the province of San Juan, Argentina. Preliminary results, year 2000

Viticultural zoning in the province of San Juan, Argentina. Preliminary results, year 2000

Abstract

[English version below]

La région viticole de San Juan (Argentine) est marquée par des températures très élevées et des variations diurnes faibles. La valorisation de la connaissance de cet environnement et de ses interactions avec le fonctionnement de la vigne et le lien au vin passent par l’étude de ses terroirs et de leur caractérisation. Le point de départ de ce travail est l’étude des zones mésoclimatiques aptes à la culture de la vigne de la Province de San Juan et à la caractérisation des sols de cette même région. L’objectif est de définir le potentiel vitivinicole des zones considérées. Le croisement d’un type de climat et d’une série de sols est à l’origine de l’identification des Unités de Zonage. Le travail est réalisé à l’échelle d’une oasis sur un ensemble de 31 parcelles viticoles de cépages Syrah qui constitue un réseau de parcelles d’observation, situées dans les différentes vallées de Tulum, Ullum, Zonda et Pedernal. Des aspects concernant les relations entre les indices climatiques, le sol, les variables agronomiques de comportement de la plante et la qualité du raisin et des vins, sont étudiés pour la définition des zones et de leur typicité. A la suite d’une première année d’étude, 16 Unités de Zonages regroupées en 5 grandes zones homogènes ont pu être identifiées dans cette région viticole. Ce travail sera poursuivi pour préciser les résultats et caractériser ces zones.

The viticultural region of San Juan province (Argentina) is characterized by high temperatures during summer with small variations along the day. The knowledge about this environment and its interaction with vineyards and wine can be valorized by the study of its “terroirs” and their characteristics. This study is based on the study of soils and those mesoclimatic zones that are competent for vineyards. The aim is to define agricultural and enological potential of zones. The comparison among different climate and soil data bases leads to the identification of Zoning Units. These units have been elected within the region based on an observatory net of 31 Syrah vineyards. They were located in the valleys of Tulum, Zonda Ullum and Pedemal.
In order to define different Zoning Units and their typicity, relations between climatic indixes, soil characteristics, agronomic variables of the plant behaviours, and the quality of grapes and wines have been studied. Sixteen Zoning Units have yet been identified and gathered in five big homogeneous zores. Further studies are foreseen to precise the results and better characterize these zones.

DOI:

Publication date: February 15, 2022

Issue: Terroir 2002

Type: Article

Authors

M. GRASSIN, J. NAZRALA, H. VILA, C. TROILO

Station Expérimentale Agronomique (EEA) INTA Mendoza – Av. San Martin 3853 – 5507 Chacras de Coria

Keywords

zonage, vigne, terroir, climat, sol, typicité
zone, grapevine, Terroir, climate, soil, typicity

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2002

Citation

Related articles…

Vineyard soils and landscapes of the Burgundy Côte (France): a historical construction worth preserving

The construction of vineyard landscapes along the Burgundy Côte is the result of geological processes and of human labour. Substratum diversity in this vineyard is the result of a very long history explained by the diversity of Jurassic sedimentary facies and Tertiary tectonic activity. The nature and thickness of Quaternary deposits (Weichselian scree debris and alluvial fans) reflect sediment dynamics concurrent with the last glaciation.

AOC valorization of terroir nuances at plot scale in Burgundy

In the highly competitive global wine market, Burgundy has a long-established reputation to maintain. The vine and wine sector in Burgundy is based on a five-level ranking of AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) wines and of the plots where the grapes are grown.

The revision of the delimitation of the AOC “Champagne”

The Champagne vine-growing region has played a pioneering role in the delimitation of appellations of origin (AOC). The implementation of the Act of July, 22nd 1927 has led to drawing up lists of vine plots based on the criterion of vine cultivation antecedence.

Building of a hierarchy of wines based on terroirs: an initiative from the producers of Muscadet

The Muscadet area is situated in the southeast of Nantes, close to the Atlantic coast. It constitutes the western extension
of the French vineyard “Loire Valley”. The Muscadet is renowned and often spontaneously linked to a white wine.
However it remains misconceived as an ordinary wine, lacking authenticity.

How the physical components of the terroir can differently intervene in French wines DPO definitions.Example of Côte de Nuits in Burgundy

European regulations describe what elements must be given in the specifications of DPO determination ; mainly production conditions, links between quality and products characteristics and the physical traits of the production area. These elements are given in the “link to terroir” paragraph relating natural and human factors, detailed product characteristics linked to the geographical area and at last interactions between product originality and the geographical area.