Wine Glossary

Acidity
A component of every wine that can lend crispness and enhance flavor.

Appellation
A specific geographic region where grapes are grown.

Body
The concentration or substance of a wine in your mouth (light, medium or full).

Bouquet
The complex scent of wines.

Crisp
The sharp taste of wine.

Dry
Wine containing little or no sugar.

Enology
The science and practice of winemaking.

Finish
The impression a wine leaves on your palate.

Flight
Comparing two wines by drinking them side-by-side.

Fruity
Wine with ripe flavors of fruit.

Hot
Having an extremely high level of alcohol.

New World
Describes wine produced outside the traditional wine producing nations of Europe.

Oaky
The characteristic style of oak barrel aging.

Old World
Describes wine from traditional wine producing nations like France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Germany.

Reserve
Generally refers to a winery's highest quality wine.

Soft
Used to express smooth rather than crisp; not sweet.

Terroir
The concept that climate, soil and terrain affect the flavor of wine. A vineyard can have its own terroir.