Welcome to our Wine Wiki — the place for curious wine drinkers who like clear answers without too much fuss.
Here, you’ll find simple explanations of wine terms, styles, grapes, storage, serving, food pairings and plenty of those little wine questions that are surprisingly hard to answer.
Whether you are trying to understand a label, choose the right bottle or simply learn something new, our Wine Wiki is a good place to start.
Oxidation in wine refers to the chemical process that occurs when wine is exposed to oxygen. While controlled oxygen exposure during winemaking can enhance a wine’s flavor, too much oxidation can lead to unwanted changes in both the taste and appearance of the wine. It’s a delicate balance that winemakers carefully manage. In small amounts, […]
In the context of wine, the terms Old World and New World refer to the geographic origin of the wine, but they also encapsulate broader stylistic differences in winemaking traditions. Old World wines come from regions with long-established winemaking traditions, primarily in Europe. The most famous Old World wine-producing countries include France, Italy, Spain, Germany, […]
Legs, also referred to as tears, are the streaks of liquid that form on the inside of a wine glass after the wine has been swirled. While they may seem like a mystical sign of a wine’s quality, they are actually more of a physical phenomenon related to the alcohol content and viscosity of the […]
A sommelier is a trained and knowledgeable wine expert, typically working in a fine dining restaurant. The role of a sommelier goes beyond simply serving wine; they are responsible for developing and managing the restaurant’s wine list, assisting customers with wine selections, and recommending wines that complement specific dishes. A good sommelier has an in-depth […]
The finish of a wine refers to the lingering taste or sensation left on your palate after you’ve swallowed (or spit) the wine. This final impression is a key indicator of a wine’s quality and complexity. A wine with a long, complex finish is often considered superior to one with a short or simple finish. […]
Acidity is a crucial component in wine, contributing to its freshness, crispness, and overall balance. Acidity refers to the natural acids present in grapes and wine, primarily tartaric, malic, and citric acids. These acids are responsible for the refreshing, mouth-watering sensation you get when you sip certain wines, especially white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or […]
In wine terms, dry refers to a wine that has little to no residual sugar, meaning it doesn’t taste sweet. Wines become dry when almost all the sugar in the grape juice is converted into alcohol during fermentation. The sweetness in wine comes from the residual sugars that remain unfermented, so a “dry” wine will […]
In the wine world, varietal refers to a wine made primarily from a single grape variety, which is indicated on the wine label. For example, a bottle labeled as Cabernet Sauvignon is a varietal wine made mostly from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Common varietals include Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Riesling. Varietal labeling is common in […]
The term oaky refers to the flavors and aromas imparted to a wine during the aging process in oak barrels. Depending on the type of oak used (American, French, or Hungarian), as well as the level of barrel toasting, oak can contribute a range of characteristics to the wine. Oaky wines often have flavor notes […]
When a wine is described as corked, it refers to a wine fault caused by a tainted cork. The primary culprit behind cork taint is a compound called TCA (trichloroanisole), which is typically formed when natural corks come into contact with mold and certain chemicals used in cork production. The result is a musty, damp […]