Here are the definitions for the letter "o"

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Oloroso (Spain)

A style of Sherry - rich and flavoursome, although it may be dry or sweet if Pedro Ximénez has been added. An Oloroso Sherry never developed the coating of flor which protects a Fino Sherry from oxidation and keeps it so pale and dry. The exposure to oxygen causes the wine to darken and develop rich, nutty flavours.

ONDARRABI BELTZA

Variety grown in the Chacoli de Guetaria (ie. Basque "Getariako Txakolina") D.O located in the Basque northeast section of Spain, between the town of San Sebastián and the french border. According to the Geilweilerhof database (see Foreword above) it has several synonym names, including Negra. The latter name is also a synonym for the Mencia variety and so raises a complex question of possible relatedness as the mutated version of Cabernet Franc, also known as Bouchy, imported from France along the "Pilgrims Way" as some insist. Label names also include spelling variations such as Hundarribi Beltza and Hondarrobi Beltza. (No other details as yet other than this variety is used in the production of aromatic, intense red, rosé and blended white wines).

ONDARRABI ZURI

Variety used for white wine production in the Basque region, referred to immediately above under Ondarrabi Beltza, of northeast Spain between San Sebastián and the french border. According to the Geilweilerhof database (see Foreword above) has several synonym names, including Zuria. Also label names may be variously spelt as Hundarribi Zuri or Hondarrobi Zuri etc. (No other details as yet other than the wine is commonly made into an intense, aromatic varietal or a version known as "Txomin Etxánex", a frizzante-style white wine more generally referred to as "Txakoli").

ONDENC

White-wine cultivar grown in France. Translocated to Australia where it is known under the alias names of Sercial and Irvines White.

Open

Revealing full character.

Open-Up/Opening-Up (see also Closed-In)

Some bottled cellar-aged red wines possess the peculiarity that, when the cork is first pulled and the wine poured, the full flavours do not immediately make an appearance. However, after the passage of several minutes in an open glass goblet, the wine develops unsuspected flavour characteristics that can verge on the sublime. This phenomenon is referred to as "opening-up". Conversely, these flavours can disappear just as fast in just 30 minutes, leaving a subsequent impression of a flat, stale, "over-the-hill" and/or mediocre wine.

OPTHALMO

Red-wine grape common to Greece and Cyprus. Used to produce a Rosé as a varietal or, on Cyprus, as the lighter component in a blend with Mavro grapewine having limited aging ability.

OPTIMA

Has synonym name Geisenheim 33-13-113. Recent crossing of (Riesling x Sylvaner) x Müller-Thurgau varieties. Widely grown in the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region of Germany and used for blending purposes in the white wines of the region. Limited acreages also found in other cool climate regions such as New Zealand.

ORANGE MUSCAT

(See Muscat above).

ORANIENSTEINER

(No information on this grape at present other than it is a white-wine producing variety released by the Geisenheim Research Institute in 1985 and is the result of a Riesling x Silvaner (Gruen) crossing. Has the synonym names Geisenheim 11-34 and Hochkroner).

Organic Viticulture

Like any other branch of agriculture, some winemakers wish to rely less on fertilisers, pesticides and other chemicals. Those that meet certain criteria may be labelled as organic. It is often compared to biodynamic viticulture, although this is much more extreme.

ORTEGA

Grape cross between Müller-Thurgau and Siegerrebe varieties. Used for white wine blending in the Rheinhessen region of Germany. Produces flavorful wines that have earned the Prädikat rating in good vintages. Ripens early-mid September. Cold-hardy and has good resemblance to the Riesling grape with which it is often blended in order to enhance flavor in poor vintages.

ORTRUGO

White-wine producer variety grown in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Used to make a light, dry or sweet frizzante wine varietal/blend usually drunk when young. Has several synonym names including Altrugo, Barbesino and Vernesino Bianco.

OSELETA

Comparatively rare variety grown in the Veneto region of Italy. Currently used by some producers to create a more traditional blend of the red "Valpolicella" wine with Corvina etc. (No other details as yet).

OSELOT

Variety reportedly used to create red wine in Friuli region of Italy. (No other details as yet).