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

Jug Wine

An informal American term for inexpensive, everyday table wine typically sold in large-format containers. The term implies straightforward, unpretentious wine intended for everyday consumption rather than cellaring.

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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.