Terroir zoning in Douro region

Abstract

The components and methodology for terroir characterization have been described by Gómez-Miguel and Sotés (1993-2012), taking into account the full range of environmental factors (i.e: climate, lithology, vegetation, topography, soils, altitude, etc.), landscape variables (derived from photo-interpretation and a digital elevation model), and specific variables to the country’s viticulture (i.e: size and distribution of the vineyards, varieties, phenology, productivity, quality, designation regulations, etc.). This work presents  the results of a case studied in Douro region (RD Douro, Portugal) (1:25.000) with the integration of the resulting database in a Geographic Information System (GIS)  that allows the spatial and statistical analysis of all variables,  the parametric system of variable quantification for terroir characterization.

The results have general implications for terroir zoning and define a set of methodological guidelines: a) definition of the set of variables that define the terroir b) definition of the Homogeneous Terroir Units (HTU); c) characterization of the homogeneous environmental terroir units; d) final zoning: integration of the HTU with the plant (variety and rootstock) and the product (must and wine).