Definition: Terravin

A quality label for wines from the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. The Terravin label was created in 1963 under the auspices of the Fédération Vaudoise des Vignerons (Vaud Winegrowers' Federation). It distinguishes bottled Vaud wines that have been selected during a tasting by a panel of experts renowned for their rigour and impartiality. The numerous judging criteria adopted by Terravin (absolute honesty in appearance, aroma and bouquet, wine representative of its appellation, grape variety and terroir, etc.) are those that matter most in guaranteeing consumers the maximum pleasure they can expect from an award-winning wine. Although the winegrowers have already carefully selected the vats of wine they present, only about half of the candidates obtain the "Lauriers d'Or Terravin" label. The Terravin jury is composed of five expert tasters. They are chosen in turn from a panel of more than twenty oenologists, winegrowers, sommeliers, chefs and journalists. In order to avoid routine and guarantee the utmost impartiality, the composition of the tasting committee is renewed each time. Every year, Terravin tasters take an intensive course to perfect their technique. The jury's decisions are made on the basis of a very detailed technical sheet. Tastings are always "blind". Only the grape variety and region of production are disclosed to them. The assessment is always carried out by secret ballot and discussion is only open once the ballots have been submitted. Finally, if a wine is still in the vat when it obtains the label, it must be presented again, bottled, for confirmation. The Terravin label is the highest distinction for Vaud winegrowers. Each year, the jury tastes wines from more than 600 vats, only about half of which will obtain the Terravin label. In the end, only some 120 producers see their efforts rewarded and earn the right to add the black and gold epaulette or gold badge to their bottle labels. Terravin offers consumers, whether amateurs or connoisseurs, the guarantee of a wine of the highest quality. If they are simply amateurs, they can make their choice without risk of error. If they are connoisseurs, the list of winners will encourage them to make new discoveries of quality. Less than 5% of Vaud wine production achieves the Terravin distinction: the quality and rarity of the award-winning wines.