Terroir is originally a French word meaning "land" or "climate".
However, when used in the wine world, it refers to the entire natural environment in which grapes are grown.
What exactly does the "natural environment in which grapes grow" mean?
- Climate (temperature, sunshine, precipitation)
- Soil (geology, underground moisture content)
- Terrain (altitude and slope)
And more.
This "terroir" has a major influence on the characteristics of the grapes, and ultimately, the characteristics of the grapes determine the appeal of the wine.
In recent years, the “maker” has also come to be included in the criteria for terroir.
