what is terrior? in terms of wine?

Answer 1

Short answer: French word; means that where the grapes grew will affect the flavor of the wine, sometimes even down to just a few miles. It can be a subject of hot debate.

Answer 2

is a french term loosely translated to mean "a sense of place". It generally means that the place a grapevine, or anything really takes on characteristics in the land/earth it is grown in. You can use the term with coffee, cocoa plants, all sorts of things.

as an example, zinfandel, grown in large part throughout the state of california. My friend at work loves Zin from the Alexander Valley north of San Francisco. I love Zin from Paso Robles down near Santa Barbara. She and I both love Zin, but we both don't like the same ones as each other. I can't stand Alexander Valley and vice versa she hates Central Coast. They are all the same exact grape. Same process. Only difference is geography.

This can happen with chocolate as well. E. Guttards makes five chocolate bars, all 65% dark, grown in five different places. And while they all taste like chocolate, you can taste the nuances of the land. The quevedo from Ecuador almost has a banana like flavor. Though no banana is in it.

for more info se wikipedia link attached.

Hope that helps!