5 Common Traits of a Great Wine
What Makes a Wine Great?
In our recent interview on “The Good Life” Show, John Terlato, vice chairman of Terlato Wine Group shares with us the 5 common traits of a great wine. From an article written in Clever Root Magazine for Spring 2016, John shares the story of his family’s 70 year legacy in winemaking, his journey and experiences in Burgundy. His observations of their ideology of grape growing and wine making reinforced an appreciation and focus on farming and family.
“To exist in the ranks of the great winemaking families is no simple task. Success is highly dependent on the family itself, on its vision and views, the vineyards they own and farm and in their ability to inspire and work alongside a great winemaker and winemaking team. When that combination clicks, wine aficionados will always smile and raise their glasses to toast the triumph of excellence.”
His experiences with his father Tony, and his familiarity with the families of winemakers, their vineyards and their wines influenced John to discover his list of the common traits of what makes a truly great wine.
- Family owned, led and managed business. When the whole family is involved to mold and solidify their ideals and pass them along through the generations, they have the possibility of advancing the family’s ideals and reputation.
- Owning a vineyard. Almost, if not all of the multi-generational winemakers have their own vineyard with family members taking care of it with passion and commitment to ensure making great wines all the time.
- Farming is key. The conditions of the vineyard and truly knowing it is fundamental. A biologically balanced, healthy soil and farming is the foundation of a great and important wine.
- Great winemakers. A passionate, skilled winemaker involved with a burning desire to make great wine. Great winemakers create wines that have good balance, wines that are beautiful when young and becomes more elegant with age.
- Wines that are beautiful when they are young, then as they age a patina is developed without anything being removed from them. This is mastered by great winemakers and wine making families in the world.
John explained that all of these must come together and must be balanced. Not just one or two of the other traits. The family’s vision and views are fundamental to success of the vineyards, winemaking and making great wines. To learn more and listen to the podcast interview where he shares more about his family and his passion for wines and winemaking.
