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Terroir
Prepared in detail by Dr. Ulrich Sautter with maps from the government's headquarters of Freiburg (state office for geology, raw materials and mining).
"Wine is earth's poetry"
Everyone is using the word "terroir" nowadays. But what does it really mean? Is it a scientific term? Does it have to do with climate and soil? Or is it the wish to drink a wine from a particular region? "Terroir" stands for the surroundings of a vine plot and everything that has to do with a vine's growth potential: mainly climate, soil and topography. However, the winemaker himself is also included in this term. This website is helping to reveal the true meaning of "terroir". We are convinced that there is a "Genius Loci", a "Sense of Place", basically the inexplicable ability of some villages, plots and stones as well as vineyards, to take our breath away. Somehow, they manage to attract our attention, and furthermore, they make us want to taste and smell their features. We would like to teach all fans and lovers of Baden wine about the basics and peculiarities of our products and their vine plots..
Enjoy your geological trip to our wine region Baden!
Terroir of the wine-growing region Baden
The wine region Baden ranges over 400 kilometers from Lake Constance in the south to Tauberfranconia with vineyards of up to 15.500 hectares, which are split up into 9 wine-growing subregions. This very versatile landscape shows various soils and unique geological features. Furthermore, Baden is the warmest and sunniest region in Germany and it is the only german wine-growing region that is considered a "wine region B", like larger parts of France. The term that is used here for "soil" deviates a little from what geologists intended to describe with this word. For geologists, "soil" is a superficial substrate, with a good reason: at least for most agricultures. Potatoe growers do not need to know what's ten meters beyond the top soil. For wine, this is different. Vine roots can grow deep into the soil. Even on the hardest stone surfaces, vine roots will always find a slot to fit into. This fact is a very significant quality criteria. However, the taste and features of a wine depend on much more than just that.
The geological information about the underground that is given here, are based on the fact that Baden vintners do not know their terroir by maps only. Their knowledge, experience and intuition allow them to cultivate the right vines in the right spot - and with their vintner know-how they are able to deeply root their vines. After all, winemakers and their intellect and their ability to feel, taste, smell and see, is part of terroir - and none of these play a small role whatsoever! Probably the best proof of this is our numerous winning top wines and champagnes. You can find a top selection from this season on our website under the tab "Baden's excellent wines".
