In the wine industry, terroir refers to all aspects of climate including temperature range, sunlight, rainfall and wind, as well as all aspects of the soil including drainage capacity, mineral content, the slope of the land, altitude and the length of the growing season. Each vineyard is said to have its own terroir.

The distinctive natural components of the terroir of Champagne — a unique combination of soil, sub-soil, climate and grape varieties unlike anywhere else in the world — are the underlying factors which account for the uniqueness of the wines of the Champagne region. The harshness of the northern climate is fortunately tempered by two particularities: a deep chalk sub-soil that allows easy drainage, and the way in which the grape vines are planted on slopes where they can receive the most sunlight. Under these conditions, the vineyards can yield their best grapes.

The important thing to remember is that while some processes of Champagne production may be duplicated, the terroir is unique, original, and impossible to replicate.