Zoning Searching for the ideal terroir In practical terms it has probably always been like this, with ideas handed on from generation to generation. But the scientific impetus is due to the Cistercian monks of Burgundy who, in the 12th century, discovered that there were major differences between vines in terms of quality and quantity, depending on the place they grew in and how they were planted. They worked out that the vine exists in relationship to the geographical situation, climate and land. Nowadays zoning is the key word for high-quality vinegrowing. It appears to be a humdrum operation, but it involves lengthy study and research. It requires a range of skills to study the aspects of the land, climate and botany, analysing region by region, area by area, hill by hill and at times, row by row, what might appear to be small differences but actually may reveal the basis for production of a great wine. There are examples of famous wines produced from a specific vineyard which is the only one with a given microclimate, exposure and terrain to manage to reach a unique level.