In our latitudes, we often speak of traditional viticulture. These are terroir wines based on local grape varieties, a centuries-old history, and well-established traditional oenological and viticultural practices. The wine will have a different taste each year as it is highly dependent on the climate. Winemakers strive to respect the notion of terroir. In the cellar, oenologists intervene as little as possible to preserve the typicality of the terroir. This type of wine is found mainly in Europe, also known as Old World wines. These wines are generally produced by family entities rarely exceeding a few hectares. They rely on tradition and history to promote their products.
Conversely, we find varietal wines, New World wines. They come from countries relatively young in wine history, such as California, Australia, Argentina, and Chile. Often produced in industrial quantities, these wines offer the same aromas year after year. Alongside highly efficient oenological equipment, these wineries also place a strong emphasis on powerful, aggressive, and catchy marketing targeting a global market with internationally recognized grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet. This type of wine, which is of very good quality, is invading our regions at unbeatable prices.
Our vineyards, with their high production costs, do not allow us to compete with these giants. In this context, can we still align ourselves? The question remains open but is nevertheless a real challenge for future generations.
