Glossary of Wine Terms

In reference to wine making, "rack and return" is the technique of gently extracting color and structure from the fruit rather than the customary pump over method.

The transferring of wine from one container to another. This transfer leaves behind lees and helps to avoid reduction with the exposure to oxygen.

Descriptor of wine with harsh acidity.

Descriptor of mild, rich wine produced using dried out grapes from an excessively hot growing area.

In reference to wine making, "raking" refers to the process that occurs before fermentation whereby grape juice is separated from solid components.

A descriptor of wine that is too young to consume, may be too acidic and unbalanced.

An Italian wine that is made using the Passito Method in the Veneto region. During the drying process, the grapes may develop Botrytis Cinerea, giving them added intensity and fullness.

Pronounced bore-DOUGH. A regional red wine produced in the Bordeaux region of France.

A regional red wine produced in the Burgundy region of France. Traditionally, Red Burgundy is Pinot Noir varietal based.

A regional wine produced in the Rhône region of France. Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage are well known northern appelations of the Rhône that produce red wines.

In reference to wine making, "reducing conditions" are the conditions that promote reduction (non-contact with oxygen).

Descriptor of wine that has not encountered air for a long period of time.

Descriptor for an elegantly balanced wine.

A piece of equipment used by grape growers to measure the percentage of sugar in various grape samples being tested.

During the production of champagne, "remuage" is the process of shaking yeast lees to the neck of the bottle for removal.

In reference to wine making, "residual sugar" is the measure of unfermented grape sugar that remains in wine after the fermentation process is complete.

Most notably known as "Riesling". A grape varietal used in the production of white wine and is used as a blending agent in the production of Ice Wine in Canada.

Pronounced reeBOWL-lah jah-lah. A grape varietal used in the production of white wine.

Descriptor of a full, rounded, sumptuous wine.

Pronounced rees-ling or reez-ling. A grape varietal used in the production of white wine and is used as a blending agent in the production of Ice Wine in Canada.

Describes the outer edge of the wine surface when viewing through a goblet style wine glass at a 30 to 40 degree angle, against a white background (cloth or paper), using natural light.

Descriptor of a balanced wine with the highest degree of varietal characteristics present.

Descriptor of a full bodied, potent, intense wine.

A minor grape varietal grown exclusively in the Veneto region of Italy. Rondinella is blended with Corvina (the principal grape) and Molinara grape varietals.

A system of roots to where a grape variety is grafted.

Most notably known as "Pinot Noir". A grape varietal, used in the production of red and sparkling wines, originating in the Burgundy region of France.

Most notably known as "Gewürztraminer". A grape varietal used in the production of white wine.

Descriptor of flawed wine that exhibits the aroma of Hydrogen Sulfide gas.

Descriptor of unpleasantly sharp wine, possibly caused by insufficient aging, high (unbalanced) acidity and/or tannins.

Descriptor of smooth, balanced wine with developed flavor.

Pronounced roo-sahn. A grape varietal used in the production of white wine. Originating in the Rhône region of France, the varietal is also grown in the Tuscany region of Italy, the Languedoc, the Rousillon, and (most recently) California in the United States.

A grape varietal used in the production of white wine. It is believed that the Rousselet grape varietal originated in the Alto Adige region of Italy, though it is not widely planted there in modern day.

Most notably known as "Carignan". A grape varietal, used in the production of red wines, originating in the Cariñena District of Spain.

Describes the brilliant red color of a wine that resembles the ruby jewel.

Most notably known as "Pinot Gris". A grape varietal, used in the production of white to slightly pink wine, originating in the Alsace region of France.