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.
Wine basics
Fortified Wine
A wine to which a distilled spirit, usually brandy, has been added, raising the alcohol content above that of standard table wine. Sherry, Port, and Madeira are well-known examples.
Want it explained for your bottle? Ask Scott about “Fortified Wine”.
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Sparkling wine
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Wine basics
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Wine-specific
Winemaking
Aeration
The process of exposing wine to air to allow it to open up and reveal its full r…
Breathe
The interaction between air and wine, typically by allowing a poured glass or de…
Fortified Wine
A wine to which a distilled spirit, usually brandy, has been added, raising the …
International Variety
A term for grape varieties cultivated across most major wine regions worldwide, …
Jug Wine
An informal American term for inexpensive, everyday table wine typically sold in…
Kosher Wine
Wine produced in accordance with Jewish dietary law and certified by a qualified…
Mature
Describes a wine that has reached its peak of development and complexity through…
Organic Wine
Wine produced from grapes grown without the use of synthetic chemical fertilizer…
Resveratrol
A natural antioxidant compound found primarily in red wine, occurring in grape s…
Sherry
A fortified wine produced in the Jerez region of southern Spain. Sherry ranges f…
Terroir
A French term describing the combined environmental factors that influence the c…
Vintner
A term for a winery owner, wine producer, or wine merchant.