Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/882780
104 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 digging in *For the full Digging In to Unique Terroir presentation at this year's Society of Wine Educators Conference, go to http://winewitandwisdomswe.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Digging- Into-Unique-Terroirs-presented-by-Eric-Hemer-and-panel.pdf Roederer Estate 2003 L'Ermitage "How do you make a high-acid wine in a warmer climate?" asks Arnaud Weyrich, Winemaker and VP of Production at Roederer Estate, located in the Anderson Valley of Mendocino County, California. A few factors contribute to the success of the Champagne house's Californian sparkling venture, but the number-one assist comes from the large, daily diurnal shifts. Day- to night-time temperatures can differ by almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit, with the average temperature swing closer to 40-plus degrees Fahrenheit— still a dramatic shift. The close proiity to the acific cean incites the diurnal swin, but it also proides a generous fog in both the morning and evening; the fog slows the ripening of the grapes, allowing them to gain ideal ripeness without losing acidity. The winery has also planted specific clones that aid in retainin acidity. The soils sere to iproe acid retention as well, as they are well-drained and primarily made up of alluvial sandstone. The Roederer Estate 2003 L'Ermitage was disgorged after 13 years; it showed some age but, more so, remarkable freshness and complexity. Arnaud Weyrich, Winemaker and VP of Production at Roederer Estate in Anderson Valley, CA. SEVEN PRESENTERS FROM SIX countries introduced us to the reasons their particular areas of the world produce distinctive, quality wines at the recent Digging In to Unique Terroir seminar, an ongoing series for The SOMM Journal. "We could talk about terroir all day, but I'd rather talk about the term as it applies to each of these wines," stated moderator Eric Hemer, MS, MW, CWE and Senior VP and Director of Wine Education for Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits. By the end of the discus - sion, attendees had learned that while many regions share several similarities, each possesses a quality distinct to its corner of the world. Arnaud Weyrich, Winemaker/VP Production, Roederer Estate; Toshio Ueno, MSS, CSW, FWS, VP/ Executive Instructor, Sake School of America; Bob Bath, MS, Head Beverage Instructor at CIA, Napa; Attila Balla, President, Vinum Tokaj International; Eric Hemer, MS, MW, CWE and Senior VP/Director of Wine Education for Southern Glazer's (our Moderator); István Szepsy Jr., Winemaker for MÁD and Szent Tamás Winery in Tokaj; Marcke Lhyle, Riboli Family Wine Estates; Gustavo Rearte, Winemaker for Achaval-Ferrer; and Alto Adige Wines Ambassador May Matta-Aliah, DWS, CWE. Exhibiting Unique Terroir THE SOMM JOURNAL CONTINUES EXPLORING DIVERSITY IN THE WINE WORLD AT THE SOCIETY OF WINE EDUCATORS CONFERENCE by Allyson Gorsuch / photos by John Valls