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WINE TERM GLOSSARY
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  English-French Wine Terms

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Oaky English pronunciation of wine term

There are a variety of "oaky" aromas derived from the aging process of the wine in wood casks such as vanilla, chocolate or coffee.

Boisé French pronunciation of wine term

Il existe dans les vins élevés en fûts de chêne, des arômes typiques tels que la vanille, le chocolat, ou le café.

Oenology (Enology) English pronunciation of wine term

The study of wine and winemaking

Oenologie French pronunciation of wine term

Science du vin : de la vigne à la vinification. Un expert en oenologie est un oenologue.

Oenophile English pronunciation of wine term

One who loves, appreciates and studies wine

Oenophile French pronunciation of wine term

Personne qui aime, apprécie et étudie le vin.

Off-dry English pronunciation of wine term

A wine that is slightly sweeter than a dry wine.

Demi-sec French pronunciation of wine term

Vin sec légèrement sucré.

Oxidized English pronunciation of wine term

Chemical reaction affecting wines in contact with air. When specifically vinified in this method, wines such as Jura's vin jaune develop characteristic nutty aromas and a strong resistance. Bottled wines that has been exposed to too much air however, develop unpleasant bruised apple aromas for whites, or port-type aromas in reds, and are considered defective.

Oxydation French pronunciation of wine term

Réaction chimique du vin au contact de l'air. Lorsqu'un vin est spécifiquement vinifié dans cette méthode, tels les vins jaunes du Jura, il développe des arômes de noix caractéristiques et une certaine résistance. Lorsqu'une bouteille est exposée à trop d'air toutefois, le vin s'abîme et développe des arômes désagréables de pomme mûre pour les blancs, ou de type Porto pour les rouges, et elle est considérée défectueuse.

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Perfumed English pronunciation of wine term

Characteristic of floral, aromatic wines.

Parfumé French pronunciation of wine term

Caractérise les vins floraux et aromatiques.

Petit Château English pronunciation of wine term

The term is used for Bordeaux wine estates which have no official designation of classification.

Petit Château French pronunciation of wine term

Désigne un vin de Bordeaux ne bénéficiant pas d'une désignation de classement officiel.

Powerful English pronunciation of wine term

A big wine with high levels of extract and/or alcohol.

Puissant French pronunciation of wine term

Vin à la fois plein, corsé, généreux et d'un riche bouquet.

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Reserve wine English pronunciation of wine term

An unregulated term often used to indicate a wine of higher quality within a producer's range.

Vin de réserve French pronunciation of wine term

Terme non-régulé désignant souvent une cuvée de qualité supérieure au sein d'une gamme.

Rich English pronunciation of wine term

A full-bodied, deep and complex wine.

Riche French pronunciation of wine term

Vin corsé

Robe English pronunciation of wine term

The appearance of a wine.

Robe French pronunciation of wine term

Couleur du vin.

Robust English pronunciation of wine term

Full-bodied, full-flavored, and high in alcohol.

Etoffé French pronunciation of wine term

Vin corsé, très alcoolisé.

Round English pronunciation of wine term

A smooth more balanced wine that has the feeling of rolling on your tongue.

Rond French pronunciation of wine term

Souple et gras en bouche.

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Sediment English pronunciation of wine term

The small particles in wine from the grape skins, seeds, and other grape particles. Sediment often settles at the bottom of the bottle overtime, and should be left behind when pouring or decanting as it tastes bitter.

Depot French pronunciation of wine term

Accumulation de particules solides qui se déposent dans le vin. Il n'altère pas les qualités du vin.

Soft English pronunciation of wine term

A wine that is soft to the taste with a contained acidity and gentle tannins.

Souple French pronunciation of wine term

Qualifie un vin bien équilibré sans trop de corps.

Sommelier English pronunciation of wine term

A restaurant employee who purchases wine for the restaurant and assists customers wishing to order wine.

Sommelier French pronunciation of wine term

Employé dans un restaurant responsable du choix et des achats des vins. Il conseille la clientèle et assure le service du vin.

Spicy English pronunciation of wine term

Wine which exhibits spicy aromas such as black pepper or tobacco, which can originate from barrel aging as well as a grape variety's specific profile (such as Syrah).

Epicé French pronunciation of wine term

Vin dont les arômes évoquent le poivre ou le tabac, pouvant provenir d'un élevage en fût aussi bien que le profil spécifique d'un cépage (tel que la Syrah).

Structure English pronunciation of wine term

The framework of a wine, made up of its acid, alcohol, and tannin content. A good structure allows a wine to age longer in bottle.

Structure French pronunciation of wine term

Terme de dégustation indiquant le toucher en bouche et le degré de tannicité d'un vin. Une belle structure permet à un vin d'évoluer plus longtemps en bouteille.

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Table wine English pronunciation of wine term

A good every day drinking wine. In France, it refers to a quality level of the wine.

Vin de table French pronunciation of wine term

Un bon vin à boire tous les jours.

Tannin English pronunciation of wine term

Found in grape skins, seeds and stalks. Tannins are harsh, bitter compounds which, if present in large amounts make a wine difficult to drink as they leave a dry, puckered sensation in the mouth. In the mouth, it gives that drying, cotton-like feeling. Tannins mellow with aging and is a major component in the structure of red wines.

Tanin French pronunciation of wine term

Substance se trouvant dans la rafle, la peau et les pépins de raisin, ainsi que dans le vin auquel elle apporte de la structure et dont elle assure la conservation. En trop fortes quantités, les tanins peuvent être aggressifs et assèchent la bouche. Toutefois, ces tanins s'assouplissent avec le temps.

Terroir English pronunciation of wine term

A French term referring to the unique combination of soil, climate, elevation and topography that gives wine its character

Terroir French pronunciation of wine term

Ensemble de facteurs caractérisant un vignoble (sol, sous-sol, climat, exposition) procurant au vin une certaine typicité.

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Varietal Wine English pronunciation of wine term

Wine produced from and displaying the specific characteristics of a single grape variety, such as Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot, Riesling or Pinot Noir.

Vin de Cépage French pronunciation of wine term

Un vin élaboré à partir d'un seul cépage, tel que le Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot, Riesling ou Pinot Noir, et exhibant ses caractéristiques particulières.

VDQS English pronunciation of wine term

Changed to AOVDQS, abbreviation for "Appellation d'Origine Vin Délimite de Qualité Supérieure" system that ranks below AOC but above "Vin de pays".

VDQS French pronunciation of wine term

Devenu AOVDQS, Appellation d'Origine Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure. Appellation des vins français qui sont au niveau au-dessous des vins d'AOC.

Vin Nouveau English pronunciation of wine term

First wines of the vintage, meant for immediate drinking, such as Beaujolais Nouveau, which may be released within weeks of the harvest.

Vin Nouveau French pronunciation of wine term

Vin de la dernière récolte, conçu pour être bu rapidement. Il ne faut pas le laisser vieillir.Le Beaujolais Nouveau est traditionnellement "débloqué" le troisième jeudi du mois de novembre.

Vinification English pronunciation of wine term

The process of winemaking from harvest to bottling.

Vinification French pronunciation of wine term

Méthode réunissant l'ensemble des techniques d'élaboration du vin, de la récolte à la mise en bouteille.

Viticulture English pronunciation of wine term

Science and cultivation of grapes, specifically for wine making.

Viticulture French pronunciation of wine term

Culture de la vigne.

Vintage English pronunciation of wine term

The year that the grapes were harvested in to produce the wine, usually indicated on the label. The vintage is important in cooler climates, where the weather varies significantly from year to year.

Millésime French pronunciation of wine term

Correspond à l'année de récolte des raisins qui ont servis à faire le vin.

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Woody English pronunciation of wine term

An excessive oak flavor and aromas, common to wines aged too long in new casks or barrels.

Boisé French pronunciation of wine term

Le vin est boisé lorsqu'il a été élevé en barriques.

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