What is Terroir? The Wine World's Most Important Philosophy
When people talk about wine, you might hear the word terroir thrown around—a term (pronounced “tehr-wahr”) that refers to the unique combination of natural factors that influence how a wine tastes. It's more than just the soil, though that’s important too. Terroir encompasses the climate (including temperature and precipitation), the amount and angle of sunlight, the elevation and slope of the vineyard, as well as the specific microbes and flora that inhabit the area. These elements create a kind of “fingerprint” that’s unique to each vineyard, subtly influencing how the grapes grow and ripen. The result is a wine that carries the distinct identity of the place it came from. So when someone says a wine “really expresses its terroir,” they mean you can actually taste the landscape—the conditions, the geography, and even a bit of the culture—captured in the glass.
Where and How the Philosophy Began
The idea of terroir goes back to French monks in the Middle Ages, who were some of the earliest winemakers to notice that grapes grown in different spots—even just a few hills apart—could produce very different wines. These monks kept detailed records over centuries, slowly mapping out which parcels of land made the best wines, long before science could explain why. They weren’t thinking in terms of climate data or soil pH—they were just tasting and observing. Over time, this hands-on tradition became the backbone of how regions like Burgundy were divided into specific vineyard plots, each believed to have its own character. Terroir, in that sense, started as a mix of sensory experience, tradition, and intuition, long before it became a technical term tossed around in tasting rooms.
Why It’s Important
Think of terroir as the personality of a wine—not something winemakers add, but something they reveal. While winemaking techniques matter, even the most skilled winemaker can’t fake what nature has baked into the grapes. Things like the wind that sweeps through a valley, the way morning fog rolls in, or how quickly the ground drains after rain—all these subtle, often overlooked conditions shape how the grapes develop. It’s why two wines made from the same grape variety, grown just a few miles apart, can taste surprisingly different. Terroir is what makes wine not just a beverage, but a reflection of a specific moment and place—like a snapshot of nature’s mood that year.
Wines That Truly Express Their Terroir
Alice & Olivier De Moor, Aligoté, 2023
The Alice & Olivier De Moor Aligoté 2023 is a bright, energetic white wine that punches well above its humble varietal status. Sourced from organically farmed vineyards in Chablis and made with minimal intervention, this Aligoté is a crisp, mineral-driven expression that really lets its terroir shine. The limestone soils come through clearly in the wine’s stony, saline backbone, balanced by zesty citrus and a touch of green apple. It’s got that unmistakable Chablis tension—vibrant, clean, and full of life.
What makes it a great terroir wine? It’s honest. No oak to mask the freshness, no overworking in the cellar—just pure fruit and the land speaking for itself. De Moor's light hand and respect for the vineyard really let the place, not just the grape, tell the story.
Terras Gauda, O Rosal, 2024
Terras Gauda, O Rosal, 2024 is a vibrant white wine from Rías Baixas in Galicia, Spain, blending Albariño with native varieties like Loureiro and Caiño Blanco. It bursts with ripe peach, citrus, and floral notes, underpinned by a salty, mineral edge that instantly evokes the Atlantic coastline where it's grown.
This wine is a great example of terroir expression—it captures the cool maritime climate, granite-rich soils, and coastal breezes of the O Rosal subzone perfectly. You can almost taste the ocean mist and the sun-drenched vineyards in every sip. It’s fresh, textural, and complex, showing that this region really knows how to let the land speak through the glass.
Thierry Richoux, Irancy, 2019
Thierry Richoux’s 2019 Irancy is a beautiful expression of Pinot Noir that really speaks to its roots in northern Burgundy. Grown in the cool-climate hills of Irancy, this wine is vibrant and precise, with bright red cherry, cranberry, and a touch of spice. What makes it stand out is how clearly it reflects its terroir—the limestone-rich soils and the region’s cool temperatures come through in the wine’s minerality, freshness, and elegant structure. It’s a Pinot that doesn’t try to be flashy—instead, it’s honest, earthy, and quietly complex, just like the place it comes from.
Dirupi, Ole, 2023
Dirupi, Ole, 2023 is a bright, high-altitude Nebbiolo from the steep terraced vineyards of Valtellina in northern Italy. This vintage shows off the purity and finesse that only mountain-grown grapes can deliver. It's all about tension and elegance—think vibrant red cherry, rose petal, and a streak of Alpine minerality.
What makes Ole such a clear expression of its terroir is how transparently it channels its origin: the rocky soils, the dramatic elevation, the cool climate. You can taste the lift and energy that come from those slopes. It’s Nebbiolo with a distinct northern accent—lighter on its feet, but no less complex. A wine that feels like it could only come from this very place.
Every region has its own unique terroir, unobtainable anywhere else. Want to explore of these? Then take a look at our website.