The language of wine contains a wealth of meanings that are not all too familiar, particularly the technical interpretations. The glossary describes and offers an explanation to the most common terms.
- dry
-
dry (taste)
A term for sparkling wines that have a residual sugar between 17 and 35 grams per litre.
- dry extract
Dry extract is a term frequently consulted as a parameter for judging the quality of wine (as sugar-free extract), and is the total sum of all extracts, less the residual, or unfermented sugar.
- dry stone terraces
-
hand-crafted vineyard terraces, that are supported by dry-stone walls
particular to the viticulture in the Wachau, see terraces.
- dry yeast
To reduce the risk of wine faults caused by yeasts, selected yeast strains, also known as cultured yeasts in a dried powder form, are frequently used to guarantee a speedy and clean fermentation.
- dry, bitter taste
Mouth-clenching taste of dryness and with high phenolics and tannins (particularly red wines), and very dry with marked acidity (in white wines).
- dull
Double meaning, and on the one hand, it refers to a dull-coloured wine without reflections; and on the other hand, describes a wine with gravely insufficient acidity or a wine with excessive sulphur (very tannic, dull and uninspiring tone, perceived most on the teeth).
- e / E
-
standard product term
EU standard or norm size for a bottle or other form of packaging, such as e 0.75 l for a standard wine bottle.
- earthy
-
earthy taste in the wine
The general term for a wine with a noticable earthy note, either from loam or loess, but also used as a negative description for musty wines.
- Eisenberg
-
winegrowing region
One of the smallest winegrowing regions of Burgenland has plenty to offer. Its approx. 500 hectares of vineyards yield terroir wines par excellence. Especially the Blaufränkisch from the Eisenberg DAC. Read more
- Eisenberg DAC
The DAC designation for the Blaufränkisch variety from the Eisenbergwinegrowing region. The categories Klassik and Reserve are permitted effective from the 2008 vintage.
- en primeur
The practice of buying wine futures, especially with expensive or sought after wines, that are sold when they are often still maturing in the barrel.
- enzyme
-
proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions
The enzymes catalyse chemical reactions, and all relevant enzymes occur naturally in the environment (in the grapes, the yeasts and bacteria). The enzymes may also be added to the must or wine.
- erosion
-
natural movement of the soil affected by weather conditions
Erosion may be caused by heavy rainfall, but is also the result of strong winds and gales.
- Erste Lage
-
Regional single vineyard site classification
The Austrian Association of Traditional Vintners (Österreichischen Traditionsweingüter) announced the classification of their single vineyard sites in 2010. The classic single vineyards (klassifizierte Lagen) and the top single vineyards (Erste Lagen) were defined. The symbol of these wines is visible on the wine label as a name and image brand, and association members within the valley of the Danube are entitled to use it (Kamptal, Kremstal, Traisental and Wagram).
- Essence
-
concentrate
The term Essenz is used in Austria to describe the high quality, nobly sweet Essence wines, particularly Ruster Ausbruch. It gets its name from the Tokaji Eszencia.