It's an article of faith among French winemakers that the compositionof the soil and its mineral components are the most important determinants of the character of the resulting wine.
Now, Dr Charters has set about trying to help growers in the Champagne region decide the future of their industry, notably the trend towards smaller, more distinctive brands that reflect a particular "terroir" -- the combination of climate and soilcomposition that gives a wine its character.
Organic farming scores better on biodiversity and soilcomposition, according to a review of studies comparing conventional and organic farming by Britain's farming ministry.