Taste Decoder
Wine words, in plain English.
Somebody said the wine is “flabby”? The label says “sur lie”? Look it up — 200+ terms decoded, no jargon in the definitions.
Classification terms
Vin de Pays
A level in the French wine classification system meaning country wine, ranking above the basic table wine category (Vin de Table). Wines under this designation must meet geographic and varietal requirements. The category is now largely referred to as Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP) under European Union regulations.
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Classico
An Italian term used to designate wines from the historical or traditional cente…
Grand Cru
A French wine classification term meaning great growth, used to designate the hi…
Grand Reserva
The highest aging category in Spanish wine classification. In the context of Spa…
Landwein
A level in the German wine classification system, ranking just above the basic t…
QbA (Qualitätswein bestimmter Anbaugebiete)
A level in the German wine quality classification system meaning quality wine fr…
QmP (Qualitätswein mit Prädikat)
The highest tier of the German wine quality classification system, meaning quali…
Reserva
A Spanish wine classification indicating that the wine has met minimum aging req…
Riserva
An Italian wine classification term indicating that the wine has been aged for a…
Vin de Pays
A level in the French wine classification system meaning country wine, ranking a…
Vin de Table
The most basic level of French wine classification, meaning table wine. Vin de T…
Vino da Tavola
The most basic category in the Italian wine classification system, equivalent to…
Vino de la Mesa
The most basic level of Spanish wine classification, equivalent to table wine, w…