Wine Terms

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Acidity

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Sensation felt along the sides of the tongue producing qualities like crispness and liveliness when good. When lacking, wine becomes flat or flabby, too much makes a wine too sharp.

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Aeration

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Letting wine breathe in a glass or bottle; the process of swirling wine in a glass to allow it to "open up" due to exposure to air.

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Aftertaste

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The flavors remaining in the mouth after the wine has been tasted or swallowed.

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Alcohol

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Ethyl alcohol, a chemical compound formed by the action of yeast on the sugar content of grapes during the process of fermentation.

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Alexander Valley

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This northern Sonoma County appellation sits at the top of Sonoma County with the Dry Creek Valley to the west and the Russian River Valley to the south. Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay make the best wines.

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Alicante Bouschet

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Traditionally used as a blending grape for its full flavors and dark color, a few wineries have made varietal bottlings.

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Amador County

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Best known for the Zinfandel produced there, this Sierra Foothills region sits at 1,500 to 2,500 feet elevation.

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American Viticultural Area (AVA)

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An official geographical grape-growing area that has been recognized by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for its geographic distinctiveness.

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Ampelography

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The study of grape varieties.

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Anderson Valley

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This valley contains some of California's most eclectic wines and wine producers. Cool, coastal fog influences this valley, stretching from near the Pacific Ocean east to the mountains separating it from Cloverdale, Hopland and Ukiah.

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Appearance

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Describes a wine's clarity, not its color.

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Appellation

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A French term that refers to the place where a wine's grapes were grown. In France, appellation has a very strict definition and many rules that apply to its use, while in California those rules are a bit more relaxed. In order to use a specific appellation, it is defined by geographic boundaries based on topography, climate and soil types are receiving government approval. These geographically based appellations are known as American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in the U.S. and Designated Viticultural Areas (DVAs) in Canada.

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Aroma

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Refers to the pleasant or desirable odor, characteristic of the unfermented grape.

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Arroyo Grande

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South of Edna Valley on the Central Coast, this very cool region is home to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vineyards.

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Arroyo Seco

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Not much has been done with this appellation located in Monterey County and best known for Riesling and Chardonnay.

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Astringent

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The puckery feel one gets in his mouth when drinking a particularly tannic red wine.

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Atlas Peak

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High in the Eastern mountains above the Napa Valley is this remote appellation, best know so far for Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese.

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Austere

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Describes a wine that lacks depth and full flavors.

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Awkward

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Describes a wine that is clumsy or is out of balance.