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Wine Terminology


Glossary terms

Racking

Winemaking term for the process of separating a wine from its sediment,

 by moving the liquid from one container to another. Also used for aerating wine.

Rancio

Tasting term used to describe the rather pungent smell of intentionally oxidised wines,

such as wood-aged fortified wines and older vins doux naturels.

Recioto

Italian term for sweet heady wines made from grapes that have been concentrated by air drying.

The most commonly found is the red Recioto della Valpolicella but white recioto is also made in some regions, as are sparkling versions.

Riserva

Label term used in Italy to indicate a wine of superior quality

 which has normally also fulfilled a minimum ageing requirement.

RM (Recoltant-manipulant)

Champagne label term, indicating that the grapes were grown and the wine produced by the same company.

The number following the letters identifies the company.

Salmanazar.

Bottle of 9 litres capacity equivalent to 12 normal (75cl) bottles,

  mainly used for Champagne.

Sec (Fr.)

Dry. Still wines labelled sec should taste completely dry,

but sec Champagne is relatively sweet (sweeter than brut).

Semi-seco (Sp.)

Medium dry

(in fact medium sweet).

Spumante (It.)

Fully sparkling.

See also 'frizzante'.

Stalky

Tasting term indicating a woody,

 slightly raw taste.

Wine Terminology

What is carbonic maceration? What does abboccato mean? Wine terms explained in our comprehensive wine glossary

Glossary terms

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