Tim James: Does terroir matter?
By Tim James, 15 March 2019
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A matter of wider interest emerged from my piece about the worrying state of the Stellenbosch Wine of Origin structure, prompted by a Dutch sommelier’s excellent dissertation on the subject. I mentioned that the discussion about wards had not been derailed by questions about whether estates and their marketers want the damn things anyway. Not put off, a professional brandsman (?), Jeremy Sampson, asked in a comment: “So what?” Rather, he said provocatively, “put time and energy into reducing, not adding to, the fragmentation and building up the reputation of South African wine as a whole”.
Another comment, from eminent winegrower Chris Alheit was pretty adamant from the opposite position: “We need way better regional identity.”
This is not a new debate, but I thought I’d make a few further observations. Firstly, two related to terroir (the physical givens of any vineyard or group of vineyards or larger area). One is that the effects of terroir differences demonstrably exist. Most famously in Burgundy, I suppose, where one winemaker will achieve very different results from different vineyards – but you can see it happening locally if you get to taste, for a related example, Hannes Storm’s three pinots from different wards in the Hemel-en-Aarde.
Secondly, terroir is only a part of the truth about fine wine. As I wrote about some time ago, you can taste the wines made from the five vignerons with virtually identical blocks of the Clos St-Jacques vineyard in Burgundy, and they are very different in character. In what way, the sceptic could (and should) ask, is the terroir of that fine vineyard expressed?
There are undoubtedly those who think that situations like that reveal the terroir obsession to be at least partly nonsense. Some seem to think this covertly, or even unconsciously: Just about all Burgundy lovers are believers in terroir, but they tend to be even more devotedly believers in the different skills of vignerons. The different wines off Clos St Jacques consistently achieve radically different prices. Wine lovers are actually paying, it would seem, not for the terroir but for the viticulture and winemaking.
That debate will continue to rage. However, here is a simple, pragmatic response to Jeremy’s “So what?” The majority of wine commentators are firm (theoretical) believers in terroir, as are many buyers of fine wine. If you want to attract the attention of the former and the dollars, pounds and euros of the latter, then greater attention to regional identity is the way to their hearts and wallets. And Jeremy’s contrast between fragmentation and building the reputation of the whole is, surely, a false opposition. There is no doubt that the recent rise in the general standing of South African wine among important commentators has happened on the basis of the top wines and their improvement. And the majority of those wines are terroir wines, wines of origin, of “fragmentation” (many of them referencing the smallest allowed fragment, the vineyard). And whatever is done to improve the reputation of, and interest in, those top wines will be good for the South African brand as a whole.
But there is another answer to Jeremy, and a more important one, as it is not about image but about the fundamentals on which (I hope) image can be firmly built. Whatever the “truth” about terroir may be, I am convinced that believers in terroir make the finest wines. Just as believers in terroir get a deeper satisfaction from drinking the stuff. Having the structures in place to encourage both winemakers and winedrinkers is important.
Take the Hemel-en-Aarde. I believe that the local producers originally wanted just one ward for the whole area, but the Demarcation Committee, investigating the terroir, thought that three wards would be justified and meaningful, and that’s what was legislated. Many people – winemakers and commentators – were doubtful, and worried about fragmentation at the expense of the area’s reputation as a whole. But even in the short time that the wards have been in existence, fascinating differences are starting to emerge in the wines they produce. Nothing definitive yet, of course, that will take generations, but this “fragmentation” has surely contributed to quality and reputation, as well as a determination to express the truth of the landscape.
As for Stellenbosch, so much larger and more complex, the same thing could happen, building the interest of both wine lovers and the best producers. Incidentally, it should be noted that it’s not an either/or matter on the label: “Stellenbosch” or some scarcely known ward name. Since 2013, a label may include both – and that is an important concession, and one that really should be taken up by more producers than it is now.
Last year saw the Stellenbosch Cabernet Collective founded. Whatever doubts one might have about the wisdom of focusing on varietal cabernet, one must hope that the Collective’s work will see an enhanced perception of Stellenbosch’s wines generally. If a meaningful understanding could be built, through the Collective’s efforts, of the terroir-based differences in Stellenbosch cab, and the winemakers could be motivated to better learn how to express those differences – wow, what a great advance that would be. And a revised, terroir-based system of wards would be the most useful tool that wine lovers (makers and drinkers) could have.
- Tim James is one of South Africa’s leading wine commentators, contributing to various local and international wine publications. He is a taster (and associate editor) for Platter’s. His book Wines of South Africa – Tradition and Revolution appeared in 2013.
Jeremy sampson | 26 March 2019
Thank you Angela, that’s very helpful for context
Angela Lloyd | 26 March 2019
Just to clarify some of the determinants when a ward is demarcated, the following from the Wine & Spirit Board’s Wine of Origin document 2013.
‘When a ward is defined, soil, climate and ecological factors are very important as they have a
clear influence on the character of the wine.
The proposed area name also has to be the real geographical place name and nature has to
dictate that the specific area can actually produce wine with a distinctive character.’
I know also, from chatting to former Demarcation Board member, Duimpie Bayly, that a sense of community among the inhabitants is also considered.
Even if the wards aren’t perfect relflections of terroir – after all, we’re not constrained by varieties, as they are in France – it does help winemakers in that particular ward to work together and focus on reflecting distinctive character in at least some varieties.
Kevin R | 26 March 2019
100% Angela
Matt A | 26 March 2019
Apologies Jeremy, read your comment again and realise the point you are making. I am not aware of how wards are determined or what vested interests there may be in terms of determining specific boundaries, but surely it makes sense to assume some sort of link between wards and terroir? Even if at this stage the link is not as strong as in France, for example. And surely having smaller demarcated wards or areas is not necessarily a bad thing in terms of being able to market a region in its entirety if it indicates a degree of maturity or accumulated knowledge with regards to vineyards, varietals etc?
Matt A | 26 March 2019
Jeremy it doesn’t take a genius to realise that each one of the 5 factors included in the definition of terroir your mention are very site specific and influenced by location. In fact they are the very reason that site is so important to terroir. Move 100 meters and each one of those can change.
Stewart Prentice | 26 March 2019
Jeremy, I hardly think it is changing the topic. I geographical demarcation based on similarity in the factors you highlight as terroir is an easy way to identify distinct, fairly homogeneous wine growing and making areas. While I enjoy your shows on the radio and comments on this topic, I cannot but wonder why you’re having a go at Tim for making a perfectly polite and reasonable case here. Is this a vested interest you’d like to disclose? My apologies if I’m making a leap too far.
James Bisset | 25 March 2019
Fascinated by the staunch and varied opinions towards terroir, wards, regionality, topography and cartography relating to Brand South Africa Wine™.
It made me consider the following:
France. Synonymous with wine. An association built over hundreds of years where terroir is the be all and end all. Specific styles and varietals are inextricably linked to their precise origin. And with good reason.
Argentina. Their international reputation is also based on regionality. That region: Argentina. The varietals: There’s only one. Forget the fact that there are top Chardonnay’s coming out of the Uco Valley, or Pinot from Patagonia. Steve from Essex is blissfully unaware. He just knows that his steak pairs nicely with a £5 Trapiche Malbec.
Of course, we are neither France nor Argentina. And that’s exactly the point. Where we sit in relation ultimately depends on the many winemakers, co-op’s, vineyards, organizations, marketers, WOSA’s, PIWOSA’s, Vinpro’s and Vin not-so-pro’s. And wouldn’t you know it, they all have different agendas.
So, actually, how much does it really depend on the above “stakeholders”?
Punchdowns, pumpovers, free-flow, whole-bunch. They all have their place. And while the bureaucrats argue, there are brilliant people in our brilliant vineyards making leaps and bounds for South African wine.
Jeremy Sampson | 25 March 2019
Is Tim James Confused?
I ask that as a discussion about wards has now become his observations about terroir, an entirely different matter.
As for adding regions – absolutely.
Let’s be clear, a ward is quite simply a predetermined demarcated geographical area. I decided to check with ‘The Oxford Companion to Wine’ (Jancis Robinson’s tome) and could find no mention od a ward. Perhaps it is covered within another heading?
Now terroir rates the best part of two pages devoted to this complex issue. One definition is based on five factors:
1 Climate (temperature and rainfall)
2 Sunlight (energy received per unit of land)
3 Topography (altitude, slope, aspect)
4 Geology and pedology)
5 Hydrology (soil – water relations)
(Source: Laville)
From this we learn that whilst some elements are fairly constant, others can change to varying degrees, a reason vintages will vary. Global warming is having an impact.
Spending a week working in Stellenbosch earlier this month left me with the distinct impression that younger drinkers, and the many overseas visitors, will drink just about anything, of which wine is but a small part. I am told that wines ‘share of wallet’, or if you prefer ‘share of throat’ is declining.
So Tim you fiddle with the wards, terroir is out of your control and some of us will focus on marketing South Africa’s wonderful wines, its fascinating regions, its magical terroir and creating great iconic local brands that are relevant to the wine drinking world at large.
Kevin R | 25 March 2019
@Jeremy There is an obvious link between Wards and Terroir.
jeremy sampson | 25 March 2019
Totally agree Kevin, but there are also stark differences
Angela Lloyd | 18 March 2019
Completely agree with you, Tim.
And any shake up of Stellenbosch Wards should start by removing altogether from Stellenbosch the wineries around the Schaapenberg/Sir Lowry’s Pass. There are many differences, topography the most obvious one. The great wines being produced at Vergelegen, Morgenster, Waterkloof et al deserve to be acknowledged for their own terroir, which is certainly not that of Stellenbosch.