Terroir, what does it mean?

Le terroir, qu'est-ce-que c'est?

Terroir is a great word, but the meaning can be confusing.  Part of the reason it is confusing is because there no English equivalent.  If you are like most people, you think it has something to do with French wine, and you are right.  It has a lot to with French wine, but the word "terroir" has a broader meaning and is beginning to be used in other lexicons.

Saint-Émilion

The word "terroir" is a noun, and it means, the environmental conditions in which a grape is grown gives that grape unique characteristics. When we talk about wine, the environment directly influences the flavor and aroma of the wine.  This makes sense, wines grown in a particular area, share a similar environment.  Notice, we used the word "similar", and not the "same". No two environments are completely the same, and the small, subtle differences between them are what makes them distinctive.  If there are two adjacent vineyards on opposite sides of a hill, the grapes grown at those vineyards may be different.  Perhaps one side of the hill is rocky and consequently the soil more porous, and the other side of the hill receives most of the hot, afternoon sun.  The grapes grown on these two hillsides would be very different even if the grapes are grown just a few hundred feet apart.  The wines produced from these grapes would also be very different.

Bordeaux Terroir

Other lexicons have been borrowing the word "terroir".  For example, cheese makers have begun to use the word.  Cows that graze on high mountain meadows, will produce milk that is very different from cows on other pastures.  Consequently, the cheese produced from this milk will be very different.  The terroir of the a mountain meadow will produce cheese that may be found nowhere else because of the distinctive environment the cows live and graze.

Chateau Belair

No matter where we are, there exists a terroir made up of rain, sun, soil, grass, wind and so forth.  These conditions combine to make our terroir distinctive, and our terroir makes the things in it distinctive, including ourselves.  The name of this website is Pennsylvania Terroir and we will write about the wines that are grown in Pennsylvania.  But more importantly, we will discuss how the Pennsylvania terroir influences us and our lives in many other ways.

Mulled Wine

Vin chaud Alsacien

Mulled wine is perfect for cold weather, and with the winter chill here, it's time to find some creative ways to warm up. Mulled wine is simply warmed wine with fruit and spices.  Typically, the spices include cinnamon, cloves, allspice and nutmeg, along with fruits like oranges and lemons.  Usually sugar is also added, but that should be done with moderation.  Try it with less sugar, and add more if you prefer it sweeter.  Be creative with your ingredients, try just red wine, or red and white wine, or port, or add brandy.  This is a perfect way to use that partially finished bottle of wine from yesterday's lunch or dinner; just adjust the ingredients to the volume of wine. Also experiment with fruits and spices, and use what you enjoy and have available.

One of the things I remember about spending winter days in the east of France was the mulled wine, which is called vin chaud. It gets cold in Alsace and Lorraine and vin chaud is a staple of many winter gatherings, especially Christmas markets. When my cousins were playing winter sports, the concession stand would always serve vin chaud. Sometimes, just holding the cup of steaming vin chaud in your hands is enough to chase the winter chills away.

One of the great things about mulled wine is the wonderful smell. Your home will quickly fill with that great seasonal smell of cloves and cinnamon.  If you are entertaining several people consider serving the mulled wine in a crock-pot.  Sit out some mugs, sliced oranges and several cinnamon sticks and your guests will have a wonderful time.

 Recipe Ingredients:

2 (750 ml) bottles of wine
1/4 to 1/2 cup of sugar
1 orange, sliced with the skin still on
Half a lemon, sliced with the skin still on
2 cinnamon sticks
A few cloves
Grated nutmeg
4 whole allspice


Try to use non-treated orange and lemon if you can find them as you will be using the whole fruit, zest and rind included. Put all the ingredients in a large non-reactive pot on the stove. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for 5 minutes.







Mulled wine shouldn't just be enjoyed during the holiday season. Whenever there is a chill in the air, and you are wondering what you should do with that remaining wine, consider making Mulled wine.