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

Lilo is a 22-seat fine-dining restaurant that serves a coastal California menu that reflects the local terroir and seafood with international influences. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2025

Tequila is defined by its terroir, and, of course, there is no universally beloved tequila, but our editors tried to select the spirit most pleasing to their palates, thinking that if our group of tasters liked it, the tequila might have a better chance at having some broad appeal. —Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 May 2025

Labels on French wines often emphasize the place of production over grape variety, reflecting the significance of terroir. —Rachel King, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025

The terroir and Delta breeze lent themselves to whites such as chardonnay, now Bogle’s flagship offering, and certain reds including petite sirah. —Benjy Egel, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 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