Let’s Talk Terroir!

We hear the term bandied around casually in both the media and by wine drinkers, but what exactly is terroir and how much effect does it actually have?

Takenfrom the word for land, terroir is a French term used to describe the unique environmental factors that affect crops, primarily wine, but also produce such as tobacco, olive oil, chocolate, tomatoes, maple syrup and tea and coffee. In essence, terroir is the natural elements of producing crops that is beyond the control of humans.

It also forms the basis of the French wine appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) regulation system in France and worldwide, which is grounded in the understanding that the land grapes are grown on imparts unique and specific characteristics to that growing area. How significant this is, balanced against the inherent nature of individual grape varieties, the weather, method of production, skill of the producers and other factors, has been a constant debate for decades, if not centuries!