Vintage
Vintage
The term “vintage” refers to the year in which the grapes of a particular wine were harvested. A wine’s vintage reflects the unique weather and growing conditions of that season, heavily influencing the flavor, quality and character of the wine. A vintage wine is typically made from a single year’s harvest, while a non vintage wine is a blend of grapes from multiple years, designed to maintain a consistent taste and style.
See Also
Sommelier
A sommelier is a trained and knowledgeable wine professional, normally working in fine dining establishments, who specializes in all aspects of wine service, food pairing and cellar management.
Climate
Climate refers to the long term weather patterns, including temperature, sunlight, wind and rainfall of a particular region which directly influence grape growth and decides the wine's style.
Old World
The term "Old World' refers to wines produced in traditional European regions, primarily France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Germany, with winemaking traditions that span centuries, often regulated and family led.
Digestif
A digestif is an alcoholic beverage served after a meal with the aim of aiding digestion and soothing the stomach. They can be fortified wines like Port, Sherry and Vermouth, bitter herbal liqueurs (amari) or cocktails that contain any of these ingredients.
Microclimate
Microclimate refers to the unique, localized temperature, humidity, sunlight and wind within a specific area of a vineyard different from the surrounding region. A microclimate allows for distinct and complex flavor profiles within a single vineyard.
Earthy
"Earthy" in wine refers to savory aromas and flavors similar to soil, forest floor, dried leaves, wet rocks, mushrooms, or truffles. Some common grapes that display earthiness in their wines are Burgundy Pinot Noir, Sangiovese and Tempranillo.
Joven
Joven is a Spanish wine classification meaning "young". It refers to wines bottled and released within 3-6 months after harvest, with little to no oak aging. Joven wines are fresh and vibrant, offering a light bodied style, with high acidity, minimal tannins and fruit flavors.
Magnum
A magnum is a large wine bottle that holds 1.5 liters, double the volume of a standard 750ml bottle.