terroir

noun

ter·​roir ˌter-ˈwär 

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

The unique Andean terroir … provides Bolivian winemakers with … a unique product as the result.

—Marianne Perez-Fransius

also : a similar combination of factors that affects the characteristic flavor of other beverages or foods or their ingredients

As with wine, terroir can influence the taste of tequila.

—Lauren Hubbard

Examples of terroir in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The project stems from the director’s gastronomic passion for white truffle and its connection with terroir and tradition. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025

This strolling salon features current and library vintages from 15-plus local producers, alongside savory pairings from Oak and Rye, showcasing the tremendous age-worthiness of wines from this renowned terroir. —Laura Ness, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025

Meanwhile, in Oregon, vineyards are planted with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay either developed along the West Coast over the past century, shaped by American terroir, or with French clonal selections imported in the 1970s and 1980s. —Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 26 Oct. 2025

The terroir of the Oda Family Winery stretches across Western Georgia, an area known for its limestone soil. —Jessica Jungbauer, Vogue, 6 Oct. 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