145/5000 L'identificazione delle unità di terroir naturali in Alto Piemonte attraverso l'analisi del suolo, del clima, della geomorfologia e delle caratteristiche del materiale genitore.

This dissertation investigated the natural features of terroir in the Alto Piemonte wine growing region. Natural characteristics (Climate, Geology, Topographic and Soil based characteristics) were mapped through the region. Preliminary Natural Terroir Units (NTUs) were developed at a 1:250,000 scale based on analysis of altitude, slope aspect, soil texture, rooting depth, soil available water and parent material. NTUs were then evaluated based on areas of known viticultural activity for each DOC/G inside the two main umbrella regions as well as an area in Eastern Colline Novaresi with a concentration of viticultural activity. The main NTUs for each region were mapped to the extents of the region of study. From this it was determined that the main NTUs of Gattinara DOCG extend into Bramaterra DOC. Boca and Bramaterra DOC share three NTUs. The NTUs of Ghemme DOCG, along with Sizzano and Fara DOC which were mapped collectively, also appear in southern Lessona DOC as well as in the southwest of Costa delle Sesia. The main NTUs of Lessona DOC as well as the NTUs of Eastern Colline Novaresi were geographically limited to their respective areas suggesting the potential for unique terroir-based characteristics of the grapes and wines.