The observation that the quality of wine takes its origin in the vineyard is well rooted in the European culture. In this way, the viticultural zoning allows to characterize and to develop the 'Terroir'-based products also considering the recent increased consumers' attention on functional foods (that combine nutritional and healthy properties due to the high concentration of bioactive compounds as vitamins and phenols). Therefore, this study aims at identifying viticultural areas which can maximize the concentration of stilbenes in the wine using a 'Terroir' approach. We have considered fourteen vineyards of Cabernet franc in Saumurois-Touraine (France) and fourteen vineyards of Sangiovese in Romagna (Italy). The characterization of 'terroir' was carried out over three years in France (2003-2005) and over two years in Italy (2008-2009) along with determination of wine stilbene concentration. Five UTB (Terroir-based Unit) were identified in Saumurois-Touraine and three in Romagna. 'Terroir' significantly affected the metabolism of stilbenes and the level of trans-resveratrol in Saumurois-Touraine was influenced for 58% by 'Terroir'. The effect of the year (climate) was dominant whereas the effect of soil and sub-soil was secondary to climate. The vineyard elevation and the active-lime in the soil enhanced resveratrol content in wines. The soil texture affected the stilbene metabolism so the clayiest soil increased their wine concentration.
