Glossary of Wine Terms
You can browse our topics using the letters below, or search for a term.
Word |
Description |
|---|---|
| Zinfandel | A popular grape in California of disputed origin; scientists say it is related to grapes in Croatia and southern Italy. |
| Yield | The amount of grapes harvested in a particular year. |
| Yeast | Organisms that issue enzymes that trigger the fermentation process; yeasts can be natural or commercial. |
| Viticulture | The science and business of growing wine grapes. |
| Viognier | A fragrant, powerful white grape grown in the Rhone Valley of France and elsewhere. |
| Veneto | A large wine-producing region in northern Italy. |
| Vin Santo | Sweet wine from Tuscany made from late-harvest Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes. |
| Vintage | A particular year in the wine business; a specific harvest. |
| Varietal | A wine made from just one grape type and named after that grape; the opposite of a blend. |
| Terroir | A French term for the combination of soil, climate, and all other factors that influence the ultimate character of a wine. |
| Tempranillo | The most popular red grape in Spain; common in Rioja and Ribera del Duero. |
| Tokay | A dessert wine made in Hungary from dried Furmint grapes. |
| Table Wine | A term used to describe wines of between 10 and 14 percent alcohol; in Europe, table wines are those that are made outside of regulated regions or by unapproved methods. |
| Trocken | German for 'dry.' |
| Tannins | Phenolic compounds that exist in most plants; in grapes, tannins are found primarily in the skins and pits; tannins are astringent and provide structure to a wine; over time tannins die off, making wines less harsh. |
| Solera | The Spanish system of blending wines of different ages to create a harmonious end product; a stack of barrels holding wines of various ages. |
| Shiraz | The Australian name for Syrah; also used in South Africa and sparingly in the United States. |
| Semillon | A plump white grape popular in Bordeaux and Australia; the base for Sauternes. |
| Sauvignon Blanc | A white grape planted throughout the world; increasingly the signature wine of New Zealand. |
| Sherry | A fortified wine from a denominated region in southwest Spain; styles include fino, Manzanilla, oloroso, and amontillado. |
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