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Learning about wine may seem like a daunting process but it doesn’t have to be. By familiarizing yourself with a few wine terms you can easily remove the mystique. Perhaps the simplest beginning for anyone looking to build their knowledge of wine is with the glossary below. This list provides a general understanding of some commonly referred to wine terms and although it’s certainly not necessary to remember all of these terms, knowing just a handful is a good place to start.

Acid: An aspect of taste in a wine. Sometimes described as sour or tart. The taste buds that detect acid are on the sides of the tongue. The acidity of a wine is an important component that should be in proper balance. Proper acidity provides crispness and life to the wine.

Appellation: The specific area a wine comes from. It can refer to a region, such as Bordeaux or Burgundy in France, for example. It can refer to an even more tightly defined sub-region within, say, Bordeaux, such as The Médoc.

Balance: Harmony or “being in tune” among the various components of wine, fruit, tannins, alcohol and acidity.

Barrel Aging: The process of maturing wines in a barrel for months after fermentation.

Barrel Fermentation: Winemaking technique whereby alcoholic fermentation results in a barrel (usually oak).

Big: A wine that is powerful in flavor or tremendously harmonious in how it presents its components (see “balance”) can be called big. You can also use this term if you just really really like the wine!

Body: The texture and weight of a wine. The more substantial and flavorful a wine tastes, the more body it has.

Bordeaux: The most important wine region in France. Wines from this area are called “Bordeaux”. Red wines from Bordeaux are primarily blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. White wines from the region are usually blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.

Bouquet: The array of aromas in a wine. Also known as “the nose”.

Brut: Refers to dry Champagne or Sparkling Wine. The authorities in the Champagne region of France use this term to denote added sugar.

Cava: The name for Sparkling Wine (similar to Champagne) from Spain.

Chablis: White wine from the Chablis area of France. Made from Chardonnay grapes.

Champagne: An important region of France, most known for its production of the only sparkling wine that can truly be called Champagne. The méthode champenoise was invented there.

Chewy: A way of describing especially thick texture and/or tannins in red wine.

Claret (Clairet): In England, “Claret” refers to English-style Bordeaux or wines from Bordeaux. In France “Clairet” is a particular Bordeaux that is produced like red wine but the must stays in contact with the skins for the first 24 hours during its making.

Complex: In wine-speak, this is a positive term, referring to lots of different flavor and aroma components in a wine. Dry/Off

Dry: Little or no sugar = “dry”, slightly sweeter = “off dry”.

Fermentation: A process whereby yeast acts on the sugars in ripe grapes to produce alcohol.

Icewine: A special wine produced by leaving the grapes on the vine until they are well frozen. They are then hand-picked and immediately pressed, while still frozen. The frozen must is then fermented and aged in barrels. Icewine is thick and sweet with rich and complex flavors.

Late Harvest: Indicates grapes that are picked as late as possible in the season for maximum sugar content.

Malolactic: Often used in the making of Chardonnay; an additional fermentation that turns malic acids into lactic acids. Compare apples vs. creamy vanilla.

Oak: Wine is often aged in oak barrels to add that distinctive “oaky” flavor. The process can add a hint of vanilla and butter to whites and tobacco, coffee or simply “oak” flavor to reds.

Sediment: The pieces of debris at the bottom of a bottle aged wine that has not been filtered. One of the reasons for decanting a wine. 

Sommelier: In a fine restaurant, this is the person responsible for only the wine selection and is able to assist you with selecting a wine with dinner.

Tannin: This taste sensation comes from seeds, stems and skins of grapes, imparting a “pucker” to the taste as well as complexity and structure.

Varietal: Refers to wine made from a specific grape variety like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Chardonnay.

Vintage: The year in which the grapes were harvested.

Wine Glossary Adapted from: Wine and Leisure.com Photo Credit: Vermont Culinary exchange

The Christmas and New Years excitement has come and gone. What better way to cure the winter blahs than gathering with a few friends and family for an enjoyable get together around the fondue pot? The classic cheese fondue party is always fun, interactive and a guaranteed hit with everyone.

According to the ultimate hostess, Martha Stewart, there are a few rules to follow at any fondue party: 

Rule 1: If a woman drops her bread in the fondue pot, she has to kiss every man at the table.

Rule 2: If a man drops his bread in the fondue pot, he has to give a bottle of wine for everyone at the table (that’s where Just Fine Wine comes in handy!).

Rule 3: If someone drops two pieces of bread in the pot, they have to plan the next fondue party.

Martha’s Tip: Make sure you invite men you want to kiss to your fondue party.

Recipe:

8 ounces Gruyere cheese, cut into 1/4-inch cubes (about 1 3/4 cups)

4 ounces aged Emmental cheese, cut into 1/4-inch cubes (about 1 cup)

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper

1 1/3 cups medium-bodied white wine, such as Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc

1 tablespoon kirsch (cherry brandy)

2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 8 cups), for serving

Assorted vegetables, cut into pieces, for serving

Directions:

1. Toss cheeses in a medium bowl with flour, cayenne pepper, and white pepper to coat, and set aside. Heat wine in a fondue pot over medium-low heat until it starts to bubble, about 5 minutes.

2. Stir in cheese mixture, a little at a time. Stir in kirsch. Continue to cook, stirring, until cheese has melted, up to 20 minutes. Stir in lemon juice. The mixture should be smooth and almost bubbling. Transfer pot to its stand set over a burner. Serve immediately with bread and vegetables.

Serves 6

(Recipe and Photo from Martha Stewart)

The Mimosa is a popular cocktail dating back as far as the 1920’s and is most commonly served at brunch but is the perfect cocktail for any celebration. A traditional mimosa consists of chilled champagne or sparkling wine and orange juice, served in a champagne flute. While the original mimosa is delicious in it’s own right, modern day time has extended the mimosa to a variety of flavors that are only limited by one’s imagination.

Mimosas are wonderfully festive and even better, they are so simple to make. In lieu of orange juice, some popular alternatives are raspberry, grapefruit, pear and quite fittingly for this time of year, cranberry. Many variations also welcome a splash of Triple Sec or Grand Marnier which always add a little extra joy to any occasion. Serve mimosas at your next gathering and you can guarantee a great time will be had by all.

Mimosa Recipe:

1/2 cup juice, such as any of the above suggestions, chilled

2 cups champagne or sparkling wine, chilled

4 tablespoons Triple Sec or Grand Marnier

Directions:

1. Place 1 tablespoon of Triple Sec in each champagne flute.

2. Top with 2 tablespoons of the juice and 1/2 cup of champagne.

3. Serve garnished with a slice or berry of the juice you use.

Serves 4

(Photo Courtesy of The Food Network)

Each year, from January to April, Winexpert releases limited quantities of five very special wine varieties of award winning quality. It’s hard to believe, but 2009 marks the 20th Anniversary of the industry leading Selection Limited Edition program. For this year’s release, to commemorate the occasion, Winexpert will be bringing back five of the most popular Selection Limited Edition varieties of all time providing winemakers with the greatest line-up of Limited Editions ever offered!

Don’t forget to try out our Limited Edition game and contest at www.limitededition20.com.