Glossary of Wine Terminology

Glossary of Wine Terminology

Recently, I came across a video about wine through a youtube channel.

 

I thought it would be good to summarize some common knowledge, similar to table manners for dining.

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1. Types of Wine

Red Wine

• Cabernet Sauvignon
  This grape is grown in most wine-producing countries, including France, the USA, and Chile. It is characterized by its full-bodied, dry flavor with notes of blackcurrant and black cherry.
• Pinot Noir
  A representative variety from the Burgundy region of France, it is one of the most expensive varieties in the world. Recently, cost-effective Pinot Noir is also being produced in New Zealand and the USA. It has a low body, soft tannins, and rich flavors of cherry and raspberry.
• Malbec
  This is the signature grape of Argentina. It features a dark purple hue and has attractive aromas of plum and violet, along with soft tannins. It generally has a medium body and dryness.

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White Wine

• Chardonnay
  A representative variety from the Burgundy region of France, it is produced in various countries. It is one of the fuller-bodied, drier white wines, with rich citrus nuances and hints of vanilla and oak.
• Sauvignon Blanc
  This grape variety is mainly produced in France, New Zealand, and South Africa. It is characterized by rich nuances of melon, summer tropical fruits, and lime.
• Moscato
  This is a signature grape of the Asti region in Italy. It has the sweetness of green grape juice and nuances of green apple and pear. With a low alcohol content, it is a sweet wine that can be enjoyed without hesitation.

​2. Parts of a Wine Glass

• Lip or Rim: The part where the lips touch while drinking. The circumference of the lip is smaller in diameter than the bowl, allowing the wine's aroma to be preserved as long as possible inside the glass.
• Bowl: The body of the wine glass. It is advisable to fill the glass only about one-third full to prevent spillage when swirling the wine to smell its aroma, while the remaining space can be filled with the wine's scent.
• Stem: The part you hold. A longer stem prevents body heat from affecting the wine, and it doesn't obstruct the view of the wine's color when observing it.
• Base or Foot: The bottom part of the wine glass.

3. Types of Wine Glasses

 

• Champagne Glass (Sparkling Wine Glass): Usually referred to as a champagne flute. It is designed to show the bubbles in champagne. The long stem is designed to keep the temperature of sparkling wine from being affected by hand warmth.
• White Wine Glass: A versatile glass. In fact, you can drink red wine from a white wine glass without any issue. Compared to red wine glasses, they are slightly smaller to maintain cool temperatures and preserve aromas.

 

Source: christnersprimesteakandlobster.com

 

3-1. Cautions When Choosing a Wine GlassWine glasses should be transparent and have no etching.

Recently, there are wine glasses without stems (like Riedel's O series), used mainly for enjoying wine as a simple beverage or in relaxed settings like parties or picnics. However, when drinking wine as a wine experience, it is essential to use glasses with stems because wines sensitive to temperature can easily change due to body heat transferred from your hand.

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4. Others

Sommelier Knife (Wine Opener): You can buy a reasonably priced knife at a supermarket or convenience store. Nowadays, electric openers are also available, which can be more convenient. While there are methods to open wine without a sommelier knife available on YouTube, it is not recommended due to the high risk of spoiling or breaking the wine. It is advisable to buy a knife from a convenience store or supermarket, even if it's a hassle.

 

Swirling (To Enjoy Wine Better): This refers to the action of gently rotating the glass after pouring wine to mix it with air and release its aroma. When swirling, the wine comes into contact with air, allowing the aromatic compounds hidden within to combine with oxygen, releasing the wine's unique fragrance.

 

The aroma that rises upon contact with air is called the bouquet.