The most important factor for making great wines!
We can’t control the weather. The weather determines the size of the harvest and, to some extent, also the character of the wine. The overall climate (the longer term weather profile) always affects the wine, regardless of the weather. Weather and climate must surely be the most important factors for the style of a particular wine? Or is it?
Then we have the soil. Of course, some soil types are better than others for vines. It needs to be poor, etc. You’ve heard it before. But does it really matter if it’s volcanic, slate, limestone, clay, silex, etc? Well, most wine producers would probably say, yes it does. And many wine consumers too. But I have my doubts. Not least now, after spending two months in different wine regions in Europe, all with different soil types.
In each region, according to the producers, their respective soil gives that special “minerality” and “good freshness” to the wines. And yes, I often felt this minerality and freshness in the wines we tasted. However, if I had gone to the neighbouring winery or to the nearest shop and bought some local wines, I’m not certain that I would feel the same thing. I do not think these characteristics necessarily depend on the soil. I think they depend on the producer.
In fact, I think the wine grower is as important as the weather and the climate. Probably more important. Even in a very warm climate, skilled wine growers manage to achieve freshness and a kind of lightness and vibrancy in their wines, making them deliciously drinkable instead of heavy. And in a region where most wines are gulpable and easily forgotten, there are some talents who make extraordinary things.
The natural conditions can be as perfect as they possibly can be. But nature always gets a helping hand from the winegrowers and -makers, no matter how minimalistic they think they are. No wine “makes itself” as some producers like to say.
It is just that some helping hands are more skilled than others. And then it will be an intriguing and exciting wine. So, in fact, all years are “winemaker years”.
Do you agree, or not? Send us your view on this!
Whichever your opinion is, it is always a great experience to meet and discuss with those who make the wines. Listen to their reasoning, understand their philosophy. See how they work. And taste their products.
That’s why it is always so exciting to travel in wine regions, again and again and again.
So go ahead and book your next wine tour with the wine experts and the wine tour specialist. Book your next wine tour with BKWine now!
And finally I must of course mention that our latest book, on champagne and on growers’ champagne, has been given some very nice awards from the OIV and from Gourmand International. Read more on that in the Brief. We are very happy!
Britt & Per
PS: Recommend to your friends to read the Brief !
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