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

Using pure well water, wild yeasts (some propagated from its own fruit trees and beehives), local and heirloom grains, hops, and fruits, and house sour cultures, the brewery creates, ages, blends and bottles unique, small-batch beers exhibiting the wildness of Oregon terroir. —Ben Davidson Correspondent, Oc Register, 24 Sep. 2025

Like tequila and mezcal, Mexican whisky’s flavor reflects its own unique terroir, as well as the production and aging processes. —Allyson Reedy, Denver Post, 24 Sep. 2025

Grape harvest season is upon us, and while Wisconsin is better known for its beer, the Badger State's unique terroir allows for the production of wines that can't be found anywhere else. —Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 23 Sep. 2025

More important, since the beginning, Numanthia’s style of wine has continued to evolve—less extraction, less stress on the vines and the terroir in return for greater elegance. —Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 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