Here are the definitions for the letter "a"

<< Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 >>

Aszú (Hungary)

The aszú are the grapes collected in 25kg lots in baskets known as puttonyos in the Tokaj-Hegyalja region of Hungary. The grapes have undergone noble rot and are thus very sweet. Once crushed the pulp is added to a gönc of the normal wine - the more that are added, the sweeter the wine.

Aszú Essencia (Hungary)

This is a rare wine, made only from the free-run juice of the nobly rotten grapes in the puttonyos baskets.

ATHIRI

Commonly found on the western islands off the Greek mainland and the island of Rhodes. Usually used in a white wine blend along with the Aidani and Assyrtiko grape-wines.

Attack (see also Light, Thin Below)

The initial impact of a wine. If not strong or flavourful, the wine is considered "feeble". "Feeble" wines are sometimes encountered among those vinified in a year where late rain just before harvest diluted desirable grape content.

Attractive

The winetaster liked it anyway; a slight put down for expensive wines, a compliment for others.

AUBIN BLANC

Recently DNA checks have revealed this variety to possibly be the result of a Gouais Blanc x Traminer cross. No other information on this variety other than it was grown in the Moselle river area of France).

AUBIN VERT

(No other details other than it has synonym name of Blanc d 'Euvizin and is one of the 16 known possible offspring directly descended from one of the ancient Pinot cepage varieties x Gouais Blanc crossings).

AUBUN

(No other details as yet other than it is a variety grown in the Southern Rhone region of France where it is used to make a red wine subsequently used in blends throughout the region).

Ausbruch (Austria)

A Prädikat category for sweet wines from Rust in Austria. The grapes have undergone noble rot and have a must weight of more than 27 KMW.

Auslese (Germany, Austria)

A Prädikat category for sweet wines. The Auslese designation is conferred if the must weight, measured prior to the wine being made and bottled, reaches a certain level. The legally required value differs from region to region and also between countries. For example, Mosel Auslese begins at 83 Oechsle whereas Austrian Auslese is over 21 KMW (about 105 Oechsle).

Austere

A term used to describe a wine that is unforthcoming - often they are young, tannic wines. They give little pleasure at the time, but it is likely that they will improve with age.

Austere

Somewhat hard, with restrained fruit and character.

Austere

Usually used in description of dry, relatively hard and acidic wines that seem to lack depth and roundness. Such wines may soften a bit with age. Term often applied to wines made from noble grape varieties grown in cool climates or harvested too early in the season.

Austere

Describes high-acid wines; sometimes used in reference to young wines.

Australia

See our Australian wine guide.