terroir

noun

ter·​roir ˌter-ˈwär 

: the combination of factors including soil, climate, and sunlight that gives wine grapes their distinctive character

Examples of terroir in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The balance of the terroir, paired with Inglenook's early pruning techniques, lays the groundwork for wines that authentically reflect their origin while embodying the signature style wine lovers associate with this storied estate. —Jill Barth, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025

Visit wineries and more in the North Bay Courtesy of Visit California/David Collier Speaking of epic, the rolling hills just north of San Francisco are renowned for natural beauty and terroir and are must-visits for any oenophile. —Visit California, AFAR Media, 12 Mar. 2025

The land informs terroir; the land itself has been intimately shaped by people over the centuries. —Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 4 Mar. 2025

This commitment to sustainability and quality ensures complete control over the production process, resulting in a bourbon that reflects the unique terroir of their land. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, land, country, stretch of land in reference to its agricultural features, from Old French tieroir, from Vulgar Latin *terratorium, alteration of Latin territorium

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for terroir

• adar
• afar
• ajar
• alar
• ansar
• bazaar
• bizarre
• boxcar
• boyar
• bulbar
• cachar
• cigar