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.
- e / E
- Definition: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
- Definition: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
- Definition: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
- Definition:
The regionally typical Eisenberg Blaufränkisch has been marketed from the 2008 vintage onwards; Welschriesling was added to varieties used for Riedenwein (single-vineyard wine) in 2022.
- elegant
- Definition:fine
Describes an elegant, fine and balanced wine.
- en primeur
- Definition:
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
- Definition: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
- Definition: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
- Definition:
The second highest official classification for a Ried (single-vineyard). After a minimum of five years, an “Erste Lage” can become a “Große Lage”.
- Essence
- Definition: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.
- Estate bottling
- Definition:bottled by the producer
This label term confirms that the grapes used in the production of the bottled wine were grown in the winery's property-owned vineyards.
- esters
- Definition:chemical compunds of alcohol and wine
Chemical compunds of alcohol and acidity, that are recognisable in even the smallest of concentration. The most common ester found in wine is ethyl acetate.
- ethanol
- Definition:alcohol in wine
Most common alcohol found in wine.
- ethyl alcohol
- Definition:ethanol, most common alcohol in wine
- EU Legislation for Wine
- Definition:
Wein (previously known as Tafelwein, or table wine) is acknowledged in the EU wine legislation. The EU additionally have strict guidelines for the description of Qualitätswein (quality wine), to which other wine producing countries, like Austria, must adhere.
- extra brut
- Definition:
EU legislation for wine allows a maximum of 6 g/l of residual sugar, for extra brut sparkling wines.
- extra dry
- Definition:
EU legislation for wine allows a maximum of 6 g/l of residual sugar, for extra brut sparkling wines.
- extract
- Definition:the total of all non-volative solids in the wine
The total of all non-volative solids in the wine, including sugar, colour, tannin, acidity, traces of minerals, protein, and glycerine. If the sugars were to be removed, we call this the sugar-free extract of the wine. The value is always given in grams per litre (g/l).
- extract sweetness
- Definition:
The sweetness of a wine based on high extract values and maturity is often perceived differently than analytical tests.