Here are the definitions for the letter "l"

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LACRIMA

Variety grown in the Marche region of Italy. Better known as Lacrima di Morro d 'Alba. Used to create a purple-red wine that is described as having (in a good year) an aroma of violets, roses and spice with a rich, fruity taste and long finish.

Lactic acid

One of the many acids that contribute to the overall acidity of a wine. This acid, which is also found in milk, makes a much softer impression on the palate than many others, such as malic acid. As a consequence many winemakers encourage the conversion of the harsh malic acid to lactic acid by the malolactic fermentation.

Lagar (Portugal, Spain)

Not a misspelling of a popular style of beer, rather a traditional stone trough where grapes were crushed underfoot.

LAGORTHI

White-wine producing variety indigenous to Greece. (No other details yet).

LAGREIN

Red wine variety found in Trentino-Alto Adige region of Italy. Used to make varietal and rosé wines of good character that can age well if from Bolzano region superior vintage years. Reported to grow well in Australia.

LAMBRUSCO

Red-wine grape cépage widely planted in Emilia region of central Italy. Produces a number of wine styles depending on the characteristics of the sub-variety, but mostly as dry or off-dry wines. When blended with wine made from the Ancellotta grape it produces a somewhat sweet, (ie amabile), wine.

Landwein (Germany, Austria)

The equivalent of French vin de pays.

Languedoc

See our Languedoc guides, for the Coteaux du Languedoc and Outside the Coteaux du Languedoc.

LASKI RIZLING

Local name in Slovenia (former Yugoslavia) for the Welschriesling grape.

Late bottled vintage

A style of Port, first introduced by Quinta do Noval in 1954. It is designed to mimic the vintage style, with less time until release and less expense. The wines are softened by ageing in wood for up to six years and are generally ready for consumption when released. The best, although not the cheapest, examples are labelled 'traditional' or 'unfiltered'. These offer a real glimpse of vintage quality and often continue to improve after release.

Late Harvest

Wines made from grapes picked later than normal (and therefore with higher sugar content), usually dessert wines. Most late harvest wines contain some residual sugar.

Late-Bottled Vintage Port

LBV's are an increasingly popular category of Port. Similar to--but less-expensive than--Vintage Ports (which must by law be bottled within 2 ½ years of the vintage), LBV's spend an extra 3 or 4 years mellowing in barrel before bottling. Therefore, they are more mature and easy-to-drink than Vintage Ports from the same year. Some LBV's are filtered before bottling; those labeled "Tradition" are unfiltered and will deposit sediment with further aging.

LAUZET

Has synonym names Lercat Blanc and Laouset. White-wine producing variety grown in the Jurançon region (foothills of the Pyrenees), France. Used in the distinctive blends of the Béarn AC along with other local varieties such as Baroque, Sémillon etc.

Leafy (see Yeasty/Yeastlike)

Somewhat analogous to "vegetal". Desirable in minute detectable amounts, if adding to notes of complexity in the wine.

Lean

Indicates a wine is lacking in mouth-filling flavors.