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:

cf. premier cru
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.

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