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The most important wine terms at a glance!

06.09.2022

from Sandra

Wine service and wine advice are now part of everyday life in a restaurant. A certain amount of basic knowledge is essential, and we have summarized the most important technical terms relating to wine service, wines and taste for you.

Do you like the subject of wine? Would you like to learn more? We have summarized everything you need to know about training to become a sommelier or sommelière.

General wine terms

Finish: This is the term used to describe the aftertaste of a wine. A long finish is always a sign of quality.

Aroma/ bouquet: This is the name given to the aroma of a wine.

Avination: This term refers to the process of pouring a glass of wine.

Aerating: The wine is decanted into another vessel. This also serves to improve development before drinking.

Cuvée: This French word refers to the finished blend of a wine.

Decanting: Refers to the process of carefully pouring the wine from the bottle into a decanter to separate the wine from the sediment.

Foto eines Kellners beim Weineinschenken

Deposit: Technical term for the sediment at the bottom of the bottle in red and port wines. Various colorants settle as the wine ages.

Mixed set: Grapes of different grape varieties from one vineyard are harvested and pressed together.

Sweet; describes a harmonious, light wine that is pleasant to drink.

Tannin: Describes a tannin that is broken down from berry skins and seeds during fermentation.

is broken down during fermentation. This is very important in red wines.

Wine terms on the subject of taste and aroma

Floral: Wine, with an outstanding fragrance.

Fragrant: Wine with an elegant, light fragrance.

Elegant: This refers to perfectly harmonious, usually lighter, sparkling and not too mild wines.

Fruity: Wine with a taste and smell reminiscent of grapes or a type of fruit.

Harmonious: The components of the wine are in the right proportion to each other.

Complexity: Delicate, subtle interplay of aroma and flavor.

Mild: A low-acid wine.

Foto eines Kellners der am Wein riecht

Peppery: Aroma and flavor often found in high-quality Grüner Veltliner.

Pure: Wine without off-flavors.

Round: Full, rounded taste.

Heavy: Alcohol-rich wine with lots of extract.

Dry: Full-fermented wine with a low residual sugar content.

Spicy: Intensely fruity, aromatic.

Delicate: Not very strong, but a fine, elegant wine.

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