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
Sherry
A fortified wine produced in the Jerez region of southern Spain. Sherry ranges from very dry (Fino, Manzanilla) to sweet (Pedro Ximénez, Cream), produced using a solera aging system.
Want it explained for your bottle? Ask Scott about “Sherry”.
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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.