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.
- analysis
- Definition:physical or chemical analysis
Physical or chemical analysis to determine the composition of the wine composition. Every Austrian Qualitätswein (quality wine) available for sale must be inspected and have the chemical analysis examined.
- aperitif
- Definition:drink prior to the food
The collective term for drinks, usually alcoholic, that are served as an appetiser before a meal.
- aroma
- Definition:scent
A tasting description referring to the the aromas smelt through the nose.
- aroma
- Definition:flavour compounds
"The positive description of the aroma components that derive from the grape. The various types of aromas, ranging from floral, fruity, spicy and so on, are listed in the aroma wheel. Both the bouquet in the nose and the retronasal aroma perception at the back of the throat, often described in English as the flavour.
We sub-divide the aromas into three categories, the primary, secondary and tertiary aromas or bouquet. Primary aromas refer to the fruit flavour components found in the grape, and which upon tasting, are recognisable with aromas present in the finished wine. We speak of wine-like or grapey aromas, and often you can recognise the character of the grape variety from a particular scent of berries, fruit, petals or flower, for example the intense rose petal aroma in Traminer. The secondary aromas come from the winery, and are aromatic components that derive from grape handling, fermentation and the maturation of the wine. You can even refer to the smell of fermentation, or detect wine faults (such as too much sulphur dioxide) yet the more desirable aromas include roasting or toasting and vanilla from oak barrel aging. The tertiary aromas are those that develop with bottle aging, a typical example being the development of the petrol note with maturing Riesling. Again, wine faults may also be included, the most common being cork taint". - aroma
- Definition:aroma or scent
"The positive description of the aroma components that derive from the grape. The various types of aromas, ranging from floral, fruity, spicy and so on, are listed in the aroma wheel. Both the bouquet in the nose and the retronasal aroma perception at the back of the throat, often described in English as the flavour.
We sub-divide the aromas into three categories, the primary, secondary and tertiary aromas or bouquet. Primary aromas refer to the fruit flavour components found in the grape, and which upon tasting, are recognisable with aromas present in the finished wine. We speak of wine-like or grapey aromas, and often you can recognise the character of the grape variety from a particular scent of berries, fruit, petals or flower, for example the intense rose petal aroma in Traminer. The secondary aromas come from the winery, and are aromatic components that derive from grape handling, fermentation and the maturation of the wine. You can even refer to the smell of fermentation, or detect wine faults (such as too much sulphur dioxide) yet the more desirable aromas include roasting or toasting and vanilla from oak barrel aging. The tertiary aromas are those that develop with bottle aging, a typical example being the development of the petrol note with maturing Riesling. Again, wine faults may also be included, the most common being cork taint" - aroma wheel
- Definition:a list of all the aroma and flavour compounds found in wine
The aroma wheel is a comprehensive list of all aromas and flavours found in wine, such as fruity, floral, plant-like or herbaceous (vegetive), spicy notes, with a hint of caramel, smoky or burnt aromas, soil notes and microbiological aromas.
- aromatic
- Definition:intensive impressions of the bouquet
Describing a wine with a pronounced bouquet and intensive taste (e.g. Traminer, Gelber Muskateller).
- aromatic
- Definition:delicate and subtle
Wine with a fine and delicate floral aromas or of flowers are described as being aromatic.
- arrested (fermentation)
- Definition:interrupted (fermentation)
The deliberate interruption or termination of the fermentation, giving the wine retained natural residual sugar.
- ash
- Definition:residue left when something is burned
The total residue and non-burnable elements (e.g. traces of minerals) of a wine.
- astringent
- Definition:
A wine with astringent tannins, or that is tannic, leaving a drying, often bitter taste, usually found in red wine.
- Ausbruch
- Definition:style of classified sweet wine
Ausbruch is the name for a high quality Austrian nobly sweet wine made from botrytis cinerea infected grapes, and is a speciality from the town of Rust in Burgenland. The Austrian wine law states a minimum must weight is 30° Klosterneuburg Must Weight Scale (KMW).
- Auslese
- Definition:style of classified sweet wine
Auslese is the name for a high Austrian Qualitätswein (quality wine) made from fully ripened grapes The Austrian wine law states that the minimum must weight is 21° KMW (approx 105° oechsle).
- Austrian Wine Academy
- Definition:
The Austrian Wine Academy (Weinakademie Österreich) is a non-profit organisation established in 1991, and is a subsidary company of the AWMB. It offers its own semianr and further education programme for all those interested in wine, and is a recognised national and international teaching institute. The Wine Academy centres are located in Rust and Krems, and seminars are held across Austria by qualified partners. The four tier educational programme begins with the Foundation Seminar, Advanced Certificate I and II, along with an international part, the Diploma in Wine and Spirits (Title in Austria being the Weinakademiker), that is the prerquisite for the Master of Wine educational programme.
- awards
- Definition:usually official wine awards conducted in wine competitions
A significant wine award competition in Austria is the SALON Österreich Wein, and these wines are primarily selected by the regional wine tasting committees. The Austrian Wine Challenge (AWC) is one of the world's most successful wine competitions, with over 10,000 entries. The prize-giving ceremony takes place annually in Vienna's City Hall (Rathaus).
- AWMB
- Abbreviation:Austrian Wine Marketing Board
The AWMB is short for the Austrian Wine Marketing Board, which has the task of strategically supporting, coordinating and maintaining quality and sales in the Austrian wine industry. This is achieved by ongoing image work and folder, sales support and incentives as well as a proactive press and public relations campaign.
- BA
- Definition:Beerenauslese
Beerenauslese is the name for a high Austrian Qualitätswein (quality wine) made from overripe grapes. The Austrian wine law states that the minimum must weight is 25° KMW (approx 125° oechsle).
- Babo (person)
- Definition:Founder of the Austrian viticultural school
Baron August Wilhelm von Babo was the founder and first director of the school of oenology in Klosterneuburg (1860), and inventor of the Klosterneuburg Must Weight Scale (KMW) as a measurement for must weight.
- Bacchus
- Definition:Roman god of wine
The second meaning refers to the varietal (German crossing).
- back label
- Definition:
in contrast to the often eye-catching front label, the back label is normally used to visibly list the legally required declarations.