As my love affair with wine deepens, I've come to realise that understanding wine is a bit like understanding relationships. There’s always more beneath the surface, and in this case, that depth has a name: terroir. Now, if you might have first heard the term and thought, “Terroir? Is that a French art movement I missed in life school?” Nope! Terroir comes from the French word terre, which simply means “land.” But trust me, it’s way more glamorous than it sounds.
Terroir: The Vineyards' Personal Trainer
So, what is terroir exactly? Well, it's the magical combination of environmental factors that influence how grapes grow and, ultimately, how your wine tastes. Think of terroir as the personal trainer for grapes: it decides whether they’ll end up bold and muscular or refined and elegant. This personal trainer doesn’t use dumbbells or resistance bands, though. Instead, it’s all about climate, soil, topography, and geography.
Let’s break it down.
Climate: The Mood Swinger
Have you ever been on a tropical vacation and noticed how you’re suddenly more relaxed (or maybe sunburned)? That’s what climate does to wine. A vineyard’s climate is like its mood. If it’s hot and sunny, like in South Africa’s Western Cape or California’s Napa Valley, grapes ripen faster, develop higher sugar content, and eventually turn into fuller-bodied wines that strut around with high alcohol levels and bold flavours. Think rich, ripe fruit like blackberries and plums with a little bit of swag.
On the other hand, if a vineyard is chilling in cooler climates, say, like Burgundy in France or New Zealand, the grapes take their sweet time to ripen. They don’t rush—these grapes are all about balance. The result? Wines with crisp acidity, lower alcohol levels, and delicate flavours of green apples or citrus that make you feel refreshed and ready for your next adventure. Cooler climates are basically the yoga retreat of the wine world—zen, balanced, and full of grace.
Soil Composition: The Gritty Backstory
If you are a reader, you know how your favourite books have deep, complex backstories that explain why characters are the way they are? Well, wine has that too, and it’s written in the soil. The dirt that vines grow in isn’t just there to hold the plants up; it’s like a supporting character in the wine’s story.
Different soils (from rocky to sandy to clay-rich) affect how much water the grapes get and how they soak up nutrients. In areas with fast-draining soil, the grapes are put to work—they have to dig deep for water, which concentrates their flavours. Thicker skins, more tannins, and complexity are the rewards. Think of it as character-building. These grapes are the underdogs who make it big.
Topography: The Scenic Views
Where the vineyard is located—on a hill, in a valley, near a mountain—plays a massive role in shaping the wine. Imagine you’re a grape lounging on the slopes of Stellenbosch in South Africa, basking in the sun while cool breezes from the ocean keep things comfortable.
That’s the life, right? And it shows in the wine. Hillsides catch more sunlight, while valleys might be protected from the wind, and all these factors combine to create the perfect environment for those grapes to develop depth and complexity. It’s like choosing the ideal place for a vacation; you want the right balance of sun and shade, excitement and relaxation.
Geography: Location, Location, Location
Finally, we have geography—the big-picture view of where your vineyard is hanging out. Is it near the coast, getting that refreshing sea breeze? Or is it tucked away in a mountain range, where temperatures swing dramatically between day and night? Geography doesn’t just determine how scenic the vineyard is for Instagram posts; it plays a crucial role in how the wine turns out.
Take Stellenbosch, for example. It’s not just pretty to look at. The warm days let the grapes develop sugar, while those cool evenings preserve the acidity, resulting in a beautifully balanced wine. For an an example I understand; our Ubuntu blend—86% Shiraz, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Pinotage—those mulberry, blackberry, and spice notes thrive under these conditions. You’re not just tasting wine; you’re tasting Stellenbosch itself.
The Wild Card: Climate Change
As with any long-term relationship, there’s always the unpredictable wild card, and in the world of wine, that’s climate change. Warmer temperatures, unpredictable rain patterns, and extreme weather events like heatwaves, wildfires, or frost, are shaking things up for vineyards worldwide. In some regions, grapes are ripening too fast, resulting in wines with higher alcohol and lower acidity—kind of like getting too much sun and missing that refreshing dip in the pool.
As temperatures rise, winemakers are starting to move to cooler areas, pushing the boundaries of where grapes can thrive. Suddenly, England is producing sparkling wines that are causing a stir, and traditional regions like South Africa’s Western Cape are grappling with water shortages and heat stress. It’s like a plot twist in the terroir story—one that winemakers are adapting to by experimenting with sustainable practices and exploring new wine regions.
In Conclusion: Terroir is Your Wine’s Love Language
At the end of the day, terroir is the real star of the wine world. It’s what gives each wine its unique personality, its quirks, its flair. Understanding terroir is like getting to know your wine’s backstory—the climate, soil, and environment that made it what it is today. The next time you pour yourself a glass, remember, you’re not just sipping on fermented grapes; you’re tasting the sunshine, feeling the breeze, and savouring the essence of the land itself.
When you get a taste of our Maro, the ‘Shiraz 2016’, know that you’re tasting more than just wine—you’re experiencing the sun-soaked days, cool nights, and perfectly dry conditions of South Africa. These elements come together to create that bold, rich fruit profile that defines the Maro. Each glass is like a little postcard from Stellenbosch, delivered directly to your palate!
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Cheers!,
Liz Ogumbo
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