Power of Terroir: Case study of Grašac at the Fruška Gora wine region (North Serbia)

Abstract

Abstract The main goal of this study is to find out if there are any differences between Grašac wines from two different locations of the Fruška Gora Mountain and to further explore why these differences (if they exist) occur. To achieve this, we selected one vineyard in Sremski Karlovci and one in Neštin where we have analyzed the topography features, soil, and climate at both sites as well as the chemical analysis of the wines from these sites from three different vintages (2017–2019). Additionally, a sensory analysis was also done for seven consecutive vintages (2016–2022). The results reveal that the wines from Sremski Karlovci have a higher aroma intensity on the nose and dominant primary fruit aromas while they are young. These characteristics tend to drop quickly with age. On the other hand, Grašac wines from Neštin tend to age better, becoming fuller bodied, more intense, complex, with tertiary aromas on the nose and palate and with a longer finish. The key differences between these two locations are connected to the thick loess deposits and the amount of available water at the analyzed sites.