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Glossary of Wine Terms

You can browse our topics using the letters below, or search for a term.

WordSort Ascending DescriptionSort Descending
MustCrushed grapes about to go or going through fermentation.
MacerationThe process of allowing grape juice and skins to ferment together, thereby imparting color, tannins, and aromas.
MedocA section of Bordeaux on the west bank of the Gironde Estuary known for great red wines; Margaux, St.-Estephe, and Pauillac are three leading AOCs in the Medoc.
MagnumA bottle equal to two regular 750 ml bottles.
MalbecA hearty red grape of French origin now exceedingly popular in Argentina.
MaderizedStemming from the word Madeira, this term means oxidization in a hot environment.
MerlotA lauded red grape popular in Bordeaux and throughout the world; large amounts of Merlot exist in Italy, the United States, South America, and elsewhere.
MadeiraA fortified wine that has been made on a Portuguese island off the coast of Morocco since the fifteenth century.
Malolactic FermentationA secondary fermentation, often occurring in barrels, whereby harsher malic acid is converted into creamier lactic acid.
LegsA term used to describe how wine sticks to the inside of a wineglass after drinking or swirling.
LoireA river in central France as well as a wine region famous for Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet Franc.
LabruscaGrape types native to North America such as Concord and Catawba.
Late HarvestA term used to describe dessert wines made from grapes left on the vines for an extra long period, often until botrytis has set in.
LeesHeavy sediment left in the barrel by fermenting wines; a combination of spent yeast cells and grape solids.
KabinettA German term for a wine of quality; usually the driest of Germanyis best Rieslings.
KosherA wine made according to strict Jewish rules under rabbinical supervision.
JeroboamAn oversized bottle equal to six regular 750 ml bottles.
Ice WineFrom the German eiswein, this is a wine made from frozen grapes; Germany, Austria and Canada are leading ice wine producers.
HerbaceousAn aroma or flavor similar to green; often an indication of underripe grapes or fruit grown in a cool climate.
HectareA metric measure equal to 10,000 square meters or 2.47 acres.
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