-
Alcohol (or ethanol)Compound formed by the fermentation of sugar.
-
Alcohol content
Amount of alcohol present in wine, normally expressed as percentage by volume (% vol. on the label). A wine at 12 % vol. therefore contains 120ml of alcohol per litre of wine.
-
Aldehydes
Class of chemical compounds, formed by the partial oxidation of alcohols and sometimes found in wine.
-
Amabile (It.)
Sweet.
-
American oak
Species of oak much used to make barrels for ageing wine.
-
Ampelography
Study and identification
-
Amtichle Prfungsnummer
See 'AP Nr'.
-
Anbaugebiet (Ger.)
Term used to indicate the 13 major wine regions of Germany.
-
Annata (It.)
Vintage
-
AOC
See AC.
-
AP Nr
Number found on German wine labels, indicating that the wine has undergone an official tasting and chemical analysis.
-
Appellation controlee
See AC
-
Apple, appley
Tasting term used to indicate the lively fruity acidity of a young white.
-
Approved Viticultural Areas (AVAs)
US appellation system,
-
Are
Unit of area, equal to 100m2.
-
Aroma
Tasting term used to indicate the smells of a wine, particularly those deriving from the grape and fermentation.
-
Aromatic
Tasting term used to indicate a wine with a positive, agreeable smell.
-
Ascorbic acid
Vitamin C.
-
Assaggio (It.)
Wine tasting.
-
Assemblage (Fr.)
Blending of different vats, and sometimes different grape varieties.
-
Astringent
Tasting term used to indicate a sharp bitterness.
-
Asz
Hungarian term, used on Tokaji labels,
-
Ausbruch
Austrian sweet-wine category,
-
Auslese (Ger.)
Quality white wine category, meaning selected harvest.
-
Austere
Tasting term, usually indicating a lack of richness
-
Autolysis
Process whereby dead yeast cells break down, to give a biscuity flavour.
-
Autovinificator
Fermentation vat, where the pumping over process is performed automatically, using the pressure of carbon dioxide gas generated during fermentation.
-
Azienda agricola (It.)
Wine estate,
-
Beerenauslese (Ger.)
Quality white wine category, meaning 'selected grapes'.
-
Beery
Tasting term indicating the malty smell or taste of beer,
-
Bentonite
Clay often used in fining wine, particularly white.
-
Bereich (Ger.)
Wine-growing district, comprising a group of sites which produce wines of similar character.