Wonderful Wine Words

Wine cellars from Rosehill Wine Cellars

Custom Wine Cellar by Rosehill Wine Cellars

So you have a new wine cabinet or custom wine cellar in Toronto, and you need to brush up on your wine words? The lingo associated with wine is as distinctive as the beverage itself. As a wine lover, you don’t want to be perceived as a poser. There are wine terms that should be in your vocabulary, to intelligently navigate a conversation about wine. Knowing the terms can prevent inadvertently making dumbfounded expressions, if in the presence of a schooled wine connoisseur.

6 Basic Wine Words you Should Know

Knowing wine words isn’t all about making an impression. The more you know, the better equipped you are to shop for your wine cellar stock. You could be missing out on your favorite variety, if you don’t study and explore. Wine terms can help open up a greater understanding about this beloved alcoholic drink and the many kinds there are to choose from. The following are some basic wine words:

Varietal – Varietal wine is named after the grape used to produce it. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay are all varietals. Wine must consist of at least 75% of a particular grape type to be a varietal. These are considered the purest of wines.

Regional – Bordeaux, Champagne, and Burgundy are all French cities and names of regional wines. The world’s best wines are produced in particular regions. The smaller the region a wine is from, the higher the wine quality.

Weight – In the wine world, it’s important to know about weights. If a wine is full-bodied or heavy, it is usually dark in color and high in alcohol content and has a strong flavor. Examples of heavy wines are Merlot, Cabernet, and Zinfandel. A light-bodied wine is leaner and more delicate. Examples are Lambrusco and Beaujolais, also known as Gamay.

Oxidize – If wine isn’t properly stored in the right conditions of temperature and humidity in a wine cabinet or a customer wine cellar in Toronto, the result can be that too much air gets into the bottle. Exposure to too much air causes wine to oxidize. Oxidized wine loses freshness and turns a brownish color.

Aperitif – A dry wine served before a meal for the purpose of stimulating the appetite is called an “aperitif.” Champagne and other dry white wines are ideal aperitifs.

Digestif – A wine served after a meal for the purpose of aiding digestion is called a “digestif.” Examples of digestif include brandy and fortified wines such as port, vermouth, and madeira.

Custom Wine Cellars

At Rosehill Wine Cellars, we know all about wine plus much of the lingo. That’s why we are able to build custom wine cabinets and custom wine cellars in Toronto that preserve wine in optimal conditions.