Vineyards in Mendoza province, Argentina David Noton Photography/Alamy
A chemical analysis of Malbec wines from Argentina has shown that the “terroir” of a vineyard can be detected in different vintages. Such analyses could help reduce the massive problem of wine fraud, in which one drink is passed off as a superior version or adulterated with cheaper products.
There has long been an idea that terroir – the combination of local geography, geology, climate and wine-making practices – gives a unique flavour to a wine from a particular place. This is why wine-growing estates, such as Chateau Lafite or Chateau Margaux…
