Terroir is a sort of ecological alchemy that is hard to empirically understand and quantify, but which never-the-less produces amazing results.
"Terroir was originally a French term used to describe wine, coffee and tea and denote the special characteristics that geography bestowed upon these products. It can be very loosely translated as "a sense of place" which is embodied in certain qualities, and the sum of the effects that the local environment has had on the manufacture of the product. Terroir is often italicized in English writing to show that it is a French loanword, although many now regard it as a word naturalized into English. Terroir-France website asserts that "a 'terroir' is a group of vineyards (or even vines) from the same region, belonging to a specific appellation, and sharing the same type of soil, weather conditions, grapes and wine making savoir-faire, which contribute to give its specific personality to the wine." Some writers include history, tradition, vineyard ownership and other factors."
Wikipedia - Cite This Source (GFDL)
In naming this site Green Terroir we are making reference to both real and virtual terroir. The importance of ecology and place in both our real and digital world. We hope that people will adopt the Green Terroir Search Engine and that it will become an alchemical place that produces goods for the real global environment.
We strive to support terroir through purchase of carbon offsets, support of land conservation, and in paying respect to the rights of farmers and traditional cultures.
