October 27, 2020

Wine & Words: Common Wine Terms to Know

When it comes to wine, most people know that there are reds and whites and not much more than that. But to be a real wine connoisseur, there are some terms that you should know. Cork Bar & Restaurant is here to share just what some of those wine terms are.

Acidity – This refers to the sharpness of wine that is determined by several different factors.

Aeration – When oxygen is added to a wine to soften it, the process is called aeration. Letting the wine “breathe” is a similar process.

Balance – When all elements of a wine work together, the wine is known as balanced.

Blend – After combining two wines that were fermented separately, the mixture is then known as a blend.

Body – The body of a wine is much like the richness of food. The weight of a wine can be classified as light, medium, or full.

Bouquet – Every bottle of wine has its own unique aromas and when you take in all of these aromas at once, it is known as a bouquet.

Closed – Underdeveloped wine is known as closed as it is not ready to consume yet.

Color – The color of a wine greatly determines its age and taste. As wines age, they grow darker in color.

Dry – If wine has less than a certain amount of unfermented sugar, it is known as a dry wine. The opposite would be a sweet wine that has a much higher concentration of sugar.

Hollow – When wine does not have any depth or body, it is referred to as hollow.

Legs – After taking a sip or swirling a wine glass, the way that the wine sticks to the glass is known as its legs.

Length – The length of a wine is determined by how long the flavor stays in your mouth after swallowing a sip of wine.

Must – After grapes are crushed and ready for fermentation, the mixture of juice, skins, seeds, and stems is known as must.

Open – Opposite of closed, open wine is wine that is ready to drink.

Pomace – After fermentation, the skins, seeds, and stems leftover are then known as pomace.

Racking – After wine is placed in a barrel to age, the process of moving it from barrel to barrel is called racking. This process leaves sediment behind, essentially filtering the wine and creating a better quality.

Riddling – Some bottles of wine still have sediment in them, including Champagne. Riddling is the process of rotating Champagne bottles to move that sediment.

Silky – When a wine is smooth and soft, it is classified as silky.

Terroir – The terroir of a wine refers to the conditions its grapes were grown in, that influence its character, such as soil, climate, and other elements.

Varietal – Unlike a blend, a wine made from one singular type of grape is known as a varietal.

Calling All Wine Lovers – Come to Cork!

While it may take a few years to learn all there is to know about wine, it only takes one night to enjoy a glass of your favorite at Cork Bar & Restaurant. Make your reservation today to plan for a night like no other. We look forward to serving you!

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