Glossary Flashcards
Acetic Acid
The acid component of vinegar present in small quantities in all wines. Excessive amounts results in a vinegary nose and taste.
Adamado
Medium sweet (Portuguese)
Adega
Winery (Portuguese)
Agiorgitiko
Greek black variety (used in nemea). Low in acidity, with soft tannins and rich, plummy fruit. (Black grape variety)
Alcohol
Potable alcohol, as contained in alcoholic drinks, is ethanol, sometimes called ethyl alcohol. Actual alcohol is the amount of ethanol present in a wine, measured as a percentage of the total volume at 20c as shown on the label.
Aligote
High- acid inexpensive dry white from Burgundy, usually unoaked. Will be varietally labeled to distinguish these wines from Chardonnay. (White grape variety)
Yecla
Hot DO region in south east Spain, making dark-colored, full bodied reds mainly from Monastrell (Mourvèdre) (region)
Almacenista
A producer of sherry who ages it and then sells it in bulk to a merchant. (Spanish)
Alte Reben
Old vines (German)
Anbaugbiet
Designated quality wine region. (German)
Appellation d’origine protégée
Protected designation of origin (q.v) (French)
Aragonez
Tempranillo, also called Tina Roriz (in Portugal) (black grape variety)
Assemblage
Blending of a number of different parcels of wine, particularly in Bordeaux or Champagne. (French)
Assyrtiko
White variety with pronounced fruit and high acidity; the wines are usually dry and unoaked. From Greece, particularly Santorini. (Some sweet versions are also made from dried grapes.) ( white grape variety)
Ausbruch
An Austrian quality category for sweet wines; the minimum must weight required is higher than that for Beerenauslese, butt lower than that for Trockenbeerenauslese (German)
Azienda (or casa)
An estate that makes wine from both its own and bought in grapes. (Italian)
Azienda (or casa) agricola
An estate that uses only its own grapes in the production of its wine. (Italian)
Azienda (or casa) vinicola
A producer who buys in and vinifies grapes. (Italian)
Baga
High acid, high tannin Portuguese black grape, usually oak- aged. The main region is Bairrada. (Black grape variety)
Bandol
AC Region in Provence, mainly making long-lived, full bodies red wines from Mourvèdre (q.v) (region)
Bardolino
Red wine DOC region in north east Italy; wines are similar in style to Valpolicella DOC. (Region)
Barrique
Cask (q.v) with a capacity of 225L. Traditional to Bordeaux, but now used throughout the world. (French)
Barsac
AC region neighboring Sauternes, making wines of a similar style, quality and price. (Region)
Bereich
A group of communes (germeinde) (German)
Bergerac
AC region inland of Bordeaux, making wines in a similar style (red and white) (Region)
Bin
Literally a location (for example in a cellar) where a particular wine is stored. Often used as part of a brand name.
Biologique
Organic
Blaufrankisch
Red cherry fruit and peppery spice. Oaked/ unoaked. Austria (especially Burgenland) plus Germany and Hungary. (Black grape variety)
Blended whiskey
Scotland: a blend of grain and malt whiskey.
USA: a blend of straight whiskey and neutral corn spirit