In this article, you will learn the meaning of wine term terroir.
Quick answer: Terroir, for wine, means the connection between the distinctive characteristics of wine and its geographical origin, including: soil, climate, topography, landscape characteristics and biodiversity features.
What does terroir mean?
Vitivinicultural terroir, according to viticulture experts at the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), is defined as:
An area in which collective knowledge of the interactions between the identifiable physical and biological environment and applied vitivinicultural practices develops, providing distinctive characteristics for the products originating from this area.
Terroir includes:
- Specific soil
- Topography
- Climate
- Landscape characteristics
- Biodiversity features
Terroir is a French term that originally designated a soil conferring particular properties to a wine.
Nowadays, it designates a broader definition as outlined above.
How to taste terroir in wine
Tasting terroir in wine means noticing how the environment where the grapes are grown—the soil, climate, and geography—affects the flavor.
By taking your time to observe these details, you can begin to pick up on how terroir shapes the unique taste and feel of a wine.
Practice tasting wines from different regions to refine your palate and deepen your understanding of terroir.
Here’s how you can start identifying terroir in wine:
Look for earthy flavors
Many wines reflect the soil they come from.
Wines from rocky, mineral-rich soils might taste slightly “stony” or have a flinty, chalky note.
Clay-rich soils often give wines a fuller body and richer mouthfeel, while sandy soils can make wines taste lighter and more aromatic.
Notice the climate influence
Climate impacts the grape’s ripeness and acidity, which directly affect flavor.
In cooler climates, grapes ripen more slowly, so wines often have bright acidity and flavors like green apple or citrus.
Warmer climates, however, can produce wines with fuller, riper fruit flavors, like tropical fruits, stone fruits, or even jammy berries.
Observe regional consistency
If you taste wines from the same region, you’ll likely pick up similar traits across different bottles.
For example, wines from coastal areas may have a salty or “sea breeze” note, while mountain-grown wines can have intense, concentrated flavors due to higher altitudes and cooler temperatures.
Identify unique local characteristics
Some regions produce wines with distinct, recognizable flavors.
A classic example is the earthy, truffle-like aroma in red wines from Burgundy or the eucalyptus aroma sometimes found in wines from Australia and Portugal.
Pay attention to balance and texture
Terroir isn’t just about flavor; it also affects a wine’s texture and balance.
A wine’s acidity, tannins, and body are all influenced by terroir.
Read with confidence: I am a certified wine expert (WSET L3).
