terroir

[ ter-wahr; French ter-war ]

/ tɛrˈwɑr; French tɛrˈwar /

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noun

the environmental conditions, especially soil and climate, in which grapes are grown and that give a wine its unique flavor and aroma: the high quality of the region’s terroir.

Also called goût de ter·roir

[gooduhter-wahr; gooduhter-war] /ˈgu də tɛrˈwɑr; gudətɛrˈwar/ . the unique flavor and aroma of a wine that is attributed to the growing environment of the grapes.

the conditions in which a food is grown or produced and that give the food its unique characteristics: grass-fed beef with an Idaho terroir.

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Origin of terroir

From French: literally, “soil, land”

Words nearby terroir

territorialize, territorial waters, Territorian, territory, territory wool, terroir, terror, terrorism, terrorist, terrorize, terror-stricken

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use terroir in a sentence

Prices for dog-harvested truffles have risen to several hundred dollars per pound, and Oregon truffles are becoming a highlight of the terroir.
The Key to Jump-Starting Oregon’s Truffle Industry? Dogs.|klindsey|October 6, 2021|Outside Online
Weed grown within a certain terroir, such as in Mendocino County, can receive a special designation, reminiscent of the terroirs used in the wine industry, such as Bourdeaux in Southern France and Napa in Northern California.
The Ecology of Good Weed - Issue 104: Harmony|Madison Margolin|August 25, 2021|Nautilus
I wanted to make everything from the earth and from the environment, so what we’re producing can really embody our terroir.
Reinventing the World’s Oldest Spirit for the Modern Drinker|Wayne Curtis|June 7, 2021|The Daily Beast
That latter information, Luker says, is off-putting to a casual drinker, who likely isn’t well versed in the signature profiles of the various Old World terroirs.
Australia’s ‘approachable’ wine won over China’s middle class. Then came the tariffs|eamonbarrett|December 7, 2020|Fortune

The concentration of specific organic compounds in a plant can result from a complex mix of interacting factors — from the genes of a particular variety to components of terroir like climate and agricultural practices.
How does a crop’s environment shape a food’s smell and taste?|Carolyn Beans|September 10, 2020|Science News
So I was happy to see that the European theory of terroir was in action, promoting with pride the qualities of a specific region.
Beer Countries vs. Wine Countries|Clive Irving|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These are the standard selling points of the craft-distilling movement, with its locavore lingo, terroir talk, and handmade hype.
Your ‘Craft’ Rye Whiskey Is Probably From a Factory Distillery in Indiana|Eric Felten|July 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Yes, cheeses can have terroir just as wine can, but when it comes to cheese, regionality is oftentimes overlooked.
Elegy to Italian Cheese|Jesse Dart|May 21, 2011|DAILY BEAST
But the real identity of these cheeses lies not in their names, but in the terroir, in their origin.
Elegy to Italian Cheese|Jesse Dart|May 21, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The methods of production used in the U.S., although correct, abandon the entire idea of terroir and regionality.
Elegy to Italian Cheese|Jesse Dart|May 21, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Ce sont, comme nous croyons, les premieres hosties qui ayent est faites du froment de ce terroir.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Ce n'estoit point le meilleur terroir o nous les trouuis: c'estoit quasi sable, & grauier, sẽblable celuy de Bourdeaux.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. III: Acadia, 1611-1616|Various

British Dictionary definitions for terroir

terroir

/ French (tɛrwar) /

noun

winemaking the combination of factors, including soil, climate, and environment, that gives a wine its distinctive character

Word Origin for terroir

literally: soil

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012