Meaning & use
terroirs
Last updated
“terroirs” is a form of “terroir”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounpluralspecialist
The distinct combinations of soil, climate and landscape in different places that give wine, coffee or other crops their local flavor.
Grammar: Plural of terroir; used when comparing places: the terroirs of Burgundy.
Patterns
- the terroirs of something
- terroirs in something
The valley contains several terroirs, so wines from neighboring hills taste quite different.
Growers argue that chalky and clay terroirs shape the character of the grapes.
The tasting compared the terroirs of three coastal regions.
nounpluralfigurative
The wider local character that gives food products and traditions their identity, linked to a specific region.
Grammar: A figurative extension used by food writers: the terroirs of regional cheese.
Patterns
- terroirs of something
The festival celebrates the terroirs behind regional cheeses and cured meats.
Chefs are returning to local terroirs for their ingredients.
Writers describe the terroirs of olive oil much as they do those of wine.
Common combinations
- distinct terroirs
- The estate has distinct terroirs across its slopes.
- limestone terroirs
- Limestone terroirs often produce crisp, mineral wines.
- the terroirs of Burgundy
- The terroirs of Burgundy are famous worldwide.
- express their terroirs
- Good wines express their terroirs honestly.
Synonyms and how they differ
- growing regions
- Growing regions is a plain phrase for areas where crops are cultivated and does not include soil and climate character.
- appellations
- Appellations are legally defined wine areas, whereas terroirs describe natural conditions.
- microclimates
- Microclimates cover only the weather of a small area, which is one part of terroir.
Word family
Commonly confused: terroirs or terrors? terroirs or terrain?
terroirs vs terrors
Terrors are fears; terroirs is pronounced with a French rw sound and refers to land and climate.
terroirs vs terrain
Terrain is the physical land, while terroir adds climate and soil influence on flavor.
Practice
The wine critic compared the ___ of two neighboring vineyards, noting differences in soil and climate.
Choose one answer.
Terroirs refers to the soil, climate and land that shape a wine's character. Terrors are fears, and territories and terraces do not carry that meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “terroirs”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.