Water: a determining factor of terroir and product typicality

The paper introduces the concept of a 'functioning itinerary' to model how combined effects of soil, subsoil, landscape environment and cultural practices determine vine behavior on specific plots. It shows that variables predicting vegetative development and earliness can be calculated from environmental factors and practices, then integrated with an evaluation of water supply conditions. Findings reveal that, within appellation regulations, winegrowers can significantly influence water management through cultural choices. Plot sensitivity to annual variability provides flexibility to tailor practices to environmental factors and desired wine style. Short- to medium-term practice adjustments may address climate change, but long-term shifts could require replanting vines on soils with higher water reserves.