Loading…
12
Tasting a Burgundy yesterday had me questioning the obsession with terroir descriptors.
Sometimes it's just good wine, no need for the geography lesson, haha.
4 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In4 Comments
hugowebb7mo ago
Terroir's just an excuse for price hikes.
7
the_william7mo ago
Exactly, and it's part of a larger trend where authenticity gets commodified (think about how every craft beer now has a 'story' about local hops). Terroir becomes a shorthand for exclusivity, allowing brands to slap a 200% markup on something as simple as olive oil from a specific hillside. It's frustrating because it masks real quality differences with marketing fog, making it harder for genuine producers to stand out.
7
the_william7mo ago
Your 'excuse for price hikes' line is truth for luxury brands. Champagne houses jack up prices for 'estate grown' labels. But real terroir effects exist, like in Willamette Valley pinot noir. Problem is, marketing hijacks the concept for pure margin.
0
cameronwells7mo ago
Look at Burgundy itself, the difference between a Gevrey-Chambertin and a more generic Bourgogne is night and day because of terroir. Honestly, those chalky soils and specific slopes impart flavors you just don't get elsewhere. Tbh, dismissing terroir ignores how climate and geography directly affect grape chemistry, leading to unique acidity and tannin structures. It’s not about markup, it’s about acknowledging real, tangible differences that skilled winemakers cultivate.
6