I'm in an alcoholic beverage survey class that covers wines, beers, and distilled spirits. We're currently studying French wines, and had a gentleman by the name of Beat Katoun (regional manager for Kobrand Corp) give a very interesting lecture on the production of French wines. He spent a lot of time on how the terroir influences what you taste in your glass, and brought up some very interesting points. He also discussed the AOC at length, which made me wish that Cuban cigars had a governing organization with such high standards and pride (no, Cubatobaco and Habanos S.A. do not apply).
In the discussion of terroir he said that direct or indirect sunlight on the grape clusters is one of the most influential factors in the wine flavors. He said that direct sunlight on the grapes usually results in the plum, strawberry, cherry and other dark fruit flavors we taste in wines, while shade or indirect sunlight results in vegetal and herbacious flavors - bell peppers, brussel sprouts, etc.
Wine and cigars have limitless similarities, and terroir undoubtedly influences the flavors in cigars, but what are some factors that influence tobacco plants like sunlight (among a myriad of other things) influences grape clusters?
In the discussion of terroir he said that direct or indirect sunlight on the grape clusters is one of the most influential factors in the wine flavors. He said that direct sunlight on the grapes usually results in the plum, strawberry, cherry and other dark fruit flavors we taste in wines, while shade or indirect sunlight results in vegetal and herbacious flavors - bell peppers, brussel sprouts, etc.
Wine and cigars have limitless similarities, and terroir undoubtedly influences the flavors in cigars, but what are some factors that influence tobacco plants like sunlight (among a myriad of other things) influences grape clusters?