Terroir
Terroir
Terroir is a French term used to describe the complete environmental, geographical and human factors affecting a wine grape’s growth. It includes farming practices, soil, climate and topography, often described as a “sense of place”. The terroir influences the flavor, aroma and texture of the final wine, which is the basis of the French wine appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) system.
See Also
Microclimate
Microclimate refers to the unique, localized temperature, humidity, sunlight and wind within a specific area of a vineyard different from the surrounding region. A microclimate allows for distinct and complex flavor profiles within a single vineyard.
Earthy
"Earthy" in wine refers to savory aromas and flavors similar to soil, forest floor, dried leaves, wet rocks, mushrooms, or truffles. Some common grapes that display earthiness in their wines are Burgundy Pinot Noir, Sangiovese and Tempranillo.
Vintage
The term "vintage" refers to the year in which the grapes of a particular wine were harvested. A wine's vintage reflects the unique weather and growing conditions of that season, heavily influencing the flavor, quality and character of the wine.
GSM
GSM stands for a popular red wine blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre, originating the Rhône Valley in France.
Magnum
A magnum is a large wine bottle that holds 1.5 liters, double the volume of a standard 750ml bottle.
Sommelier
A sommelier is a trained and knowledgeable wine professional, normally working in fine dining establishments, who specializes in all aspects of wine service, food pairing and cellar management.
Oenophile
An oenophile is a passionate lover of wine, someone who appreciates, studies and often collects wines based on their region, production methods and varietal. Beyond wine drinking, they are interested in the stories behind the labels, often possessing refined tasting skills, able to identify subtle tasting notes. Oenophiles may be wine professional like sommeliers or wine merchants, or passionate hobbyists who frequently attend wine tastings and join wine clubs.
Old World
The term "Old World' refers to wines produced in traditional European regions, primarily France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Germany, with winemaking traditions that span centuries, often regulated and family led.