Here are the definitions for the letter "a"

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Aftertaste

Also called the "finish," this is the taste that remains in the mouth after the wine is swallowed. A really great wine will have a long, complex aftertaste.

Aftertaste (see also Finish, Length) - A

Term used to describe the taste left in the mouth after swallowing the wine. Both character and length of the aftertaste are part of the total evaluation. May be harsh, hot, soft and lingering, short, smooth, tannic, or nonexistent.

AFUS ALI

According to the Geilweilerhof database, (see above), this variety originated in Lebanon. Has an extraordinary number of synonym names including Raisin d 'Or and Regina (Bianca). A little known selection named Dattier de Beyrouth - not to be confused with the hybrid-cross derived Dattier St. Vallier variety - confusingly has the original Old World synonym name Waltham Cross. While overwhelmingly grown for use as a tablegrape in the Middle East, it can also produce a reasonably tempting white wine.

Age/Aged (see also Maderized, Rim)

1. White wines tend to turn from a greenish hue in young wines to a yellowish caste/tone to a gold/amber colour as they age. Reds usually possess a purple tone when young, turning to a deep red - (Bordeaux wines) - or a brick red colour - (Burgundy wines) - detectable at the surface edge in a wineglass as they age. Rose's should be pink with no tinge of yellow or orange.
2. Cellar aged red wines at their peak will show a deep golden-orange colour as it thins at the surface edge. If the wine colour has deepened into a distinctly brown-orange tint at the edge it usually indicates a wine past its peak and declining.

Aggressive

A term used to describe a wine with harsh flavors, often the result of too much tannin or acid.

AGIANNIOTIKO

(No other details other than it is a red-wine variety found in Greece, also used for rosés).

AGIORGITIKO

Pronounced "Ah-jee-or-jee tee-koh". (a.k.a St. George). Red-wine grape native to Greece. Used to produce intense, fruity wine in dry and sweet versions. Also blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to create a wine capable of aging well.

AGLIANICO

Red-wine grapevine cultivated in Basilicata and Campania regions of Italy. In the latter province it has the alias names Agliatica, Ellenico, Ellanico, Gnanico and Uva Nera. Of extremely ancient origin, it is responsible for some of the better sturdy red wines of southern Italy - (eg "Aglianico del Vulture"). Appears to have been used to produce Falurnum, a well-documented favorite wine of the Romans. The name "Aglianico" is reported to be late 15th century corruption of the italian word "ellenico", meaning "hellenic", presumably acknowledging the original home of this variety. The grape is also used to make good bronze-colored rosé-style wine.

AIDANI

Variety found mainly in the western islands off the Greek mainland. Also grown extensively on the island of Rhodes. Used as part of a white-wine blend that includes the Assyrtiko and Athiri grape wine.

AIREN

Semi-classic white-wine producer variety with the unique distinction of being the most widely planted vine variety in Spain. Highly resistant to drought, it is grown at an extraordinary low vine density per acre as low bushes. Its wines are used for distilling into brandy and also blending with deep-red grape wines to create lighter colored versions. Increasingly popular as a dry, crisp white-wine made to be drunk as fresh as possible.

ALADASTURI

V. vinifera variety grown in Georgia (CIS). Has several synonym names according to the Geilweilerhof database (see Foreword above). Used in the production of semi-dry rosé wines. (No other details as yet).

ALBALONGA

Grape resulting from a cross between Riesling and a Sylvaner clone. Limited growths in Rheinhessen region of Germany. Used to create good "Auslese" style white wines in better years.

ALBANA

White-wine producing variety of ancient origin widely planted in the Emilia region of Italy. Produced as several variations of dry, semi-dry and sweet (dolce) wine of which the latter is regarded by many as the most successful.

ALBARIÑO

(a.k.a Alvarinho where grown in Portugal). White-wine producing variety, used to create a serious varietal wine with pleasant citrus fruit aroma, widely grown in regions of N.W. Spain and also in northern Portugal. Thought by some to be a Riesling clone originating from the Alsace region of France.

ALBAROLA

White-wine producing variety grown in N.W Italy. Used to make a blend that includes Bosco, and other grape varieties, called "Cinqueterre". Has several synonym names including Calcatella and Temosci.