Terroir is a term I use frequently in my wine tastings and classes, and I often am asked exactly what it means. Its a French term, and like many foreign words, there is no accurate English translation for this term.
[terˈwär] NOUN
the complete natural environment in which a particular wine is produced, including factors such as the soil, topography, and climate.
the characteristic taste and flavor imparted to a wine by the environment in which it is produced.
We can think of it as the totality of all that encompasses and influences the composition of the grape growing experience, and thus also the wine we drink. The growing environment (region, climate, soil, aspect, weather conditions – wind, sun, rain) are all important. I think of it also as the hand of man in the mix, including HOW the grape is grown (training method, canopy, density of plants, treatment of vines). What are the traditional factors of that place? For example, the fascinating basket training of vines on Santorini are the hand of man, which work with the winds and the volcanic soil to produce a wine unlike any other.
It is truly such a broad range of factors, and its great that one two-syllable word can sum it all up! Kudos to the French!
In the simplest or terms, think of terroir as the concept that makes a wine from a particular place special. For example, when we recently were tasting Chardonnays, even thgouh it is the same varietal, each one tasted different….not only because of the winemaking techniques but because of where it was grown and how.
There is a movement in the industry for what is called terroir-driven wines. These are wines that the winemaker creates to reflect the uniqueness of the place where it is grown and produced. I am a big fan, because I believe that, in the same way I can taste the environment in local honey or maple syrup, when you drink a wine you taste a bit if the soil, rain, sunshine and so on of that place. I am transported to France, Spain, or wherever in that glass. And that, for me, is what adds to the wonderful expereicne of drinking wine.
I hope I have explained this term so that you feel you understand it and can use it when talking about wine!
Cheers!
