Here are the definitions for the letter "a"

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Appellation

A system developed by the French to regulate the authenticity of their finest wines. Appellation applies specifically to the region where the grapes were grown. The French also regulate what grapes can be grown where; what winemaking methods can be used; how large the yields can be; etc. Other countries have adopted their own versions of controlled appellations with varying success.

Appellation D'Origine Controlee (AOC)

The French system of appellations.

Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (France)

Often abbreviated to AC or AOC, this is the highest legal classification for French wine, above Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure, Vin de Pays and Vin de Table. In order to qualify for the AC, wines must be produced from grapes grown within a geographically defined area, and conform to regulations concerning grape varieties, yields, alcohol content and so on. Although AC means these features are guaranteed, it is not unfortunately a guarantee of quality.

Appley

Refers to smell or aroma of a wine, usually carrying additional modifiers. "Ripe apples" describes a full, fruity, clean smell associated with some styles of Chardonnay wine. "Fresh apples" does the same for some types types of Riesling. "Green apple", however, is almost always reserved for wines made from barely ripe or underripe grapes. "Stale apples" applies almost exclusively to flawed wine exhibiting first stage oxidation.

ARAMON

Minor grape of mediocre quality (reported to merely reach 14 percent sugar content in a good year) widely grown in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France and mainly used to make a "stretch" wine for blending with better varieties in order to make some of the more notorious styles of "vin de table" wine associated with the Midi. There are two mutations also found there, Aramon Gris and Aramon Blanc, neither being significant.

ARBANE

Has several synonym names including Arbanne. Reported to be an old variety grown in the Champagne region of France. AOC regulations do not allow new plantings of old varieties (except for existing vine by vine replacement) to be used in modern Champagne, but at least one winery creates a sparkling wine (legally called Champagne) from this variety blended with Fromenteau (Gris) and Petit Meslier. The varietal wine has been reported as "very soft, almost ethereal, with a refreshing peppery uplift in the finish. Much softer and delicate than standard Blanc de Blancs".

ARBOIS

Fairly widely grown white-wine producer grapevine in the Loire region of France. Used in some blends labeled "Touraine". Also known as Menu Pineau or Petit Pineau.

ARGAMAN

Patented (1992) cultivar developed and released around 1988 by the ARO Horticulture Unit, Volcani Center at Bet-Dagan, Israel. Derived from a cross between Souzao and Carignan. Ripens some 1-3 weeks earlier than the latter parent (ie. about mid-August to early September). Resistance to Powdery Mildew also appears superior. Designed to be a hot-climate tolerant variety, it has minimal frost resistance. Vigorous and productive, on Richter 110 and Ruggeri 140R rootstocks, the cultivar is self-fertile, resulting in medium size, moderately compact fruit clusters. Tested as a deeply colored red-wine varietal wine, with a peppery aroma and satisfactory to average acidity and tannins, it produced adequate body and balance. Current usage has been confined to some blends with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah that seem to show aging possibilities.

ARGANT

Has several synonym names including Rouillot and Gros Margilier Espagnole. (No other details as yet other than it is a variety that is listed as suitable for wine or tablegrape use. Of spanish origin it is also grown in France).

Argentina

See our South American wine guide.

ARGOSSA

Variety grown in Portugal. (No other details as yet).

ARINTO

(a.k.a Pedernã). Moderately vigorous grapevine. Widely grown in Portugal where the fruit is used in the production of white "vinho-verde" wines, along with others such as the Trajadura. Recommended rootstock is the 1103-P for good phylloxera and moderate nematode resistance, plus drought tolerance. Suitable for mildly chalky-soils.

ARIS

Has synonym name Geilweilerhof SBL.2-19-58. Reported as green-skin grape derived from an (Oberlin 716)F1 x Riesling 91 cross released by the Geilweilerhof Research Institute, Germany. Variety is noted for high yielding, small bunched, small berry production. Usually ripens about a month before Concord. Recorded as moderately hardy, needing winter protection. Capable of high sugar content. Normally used to create white wines in the german style, using cool fermentation methods.

ARNAD MONTJOVET

(No other details as yet other than this variety is grown in the Valle d 'Aosta region of Italy and is used to create a dry red wine.)

ARNEIS

Minor grape grown in Piedmont region of Italy. Used to make an aromatic white wine - (e.g "Roero Arneis", "Langhe Arneis") - lacking sufficient acidity, when fully ripened, to age well. Some regard it as reminiscent of wines made from the french Viognier grape grown in the northern Rhone region. Others find Pinot Gris of the U.S. west coast, (see below), similarities in the fruity flavor of the wine when made in the style of "Tokay d 'Alsace".