Here are the definitions for the letter "s"

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Supple

Term often used for young reds which should be more aggressive. More lively than an easy wine with suggestions of good quality. The near synonym "amiable" is also sometimes employed but does not quite emphasise the extra connotation of "leanness" implied.

Supple

Describes wines of a harmonious, velvety texture-often applicable, for example, to the Merlot wines of Pomerol and St. Emilion.

SUPUTINSKI

Cold hardy to -40 deg. F. (ca -42 C.), this variety is reportedly a female pollinate and where grown in Ontario or Nova Scotia (Canada) is planted in alternate rows with other cultivars. The acidic wines are currently only recommended for blends. (No other details as yet).

Sur Lie

Indicates a wine was aged "on the lees" (sediment consisting mainly of dead yeast cells and small grape particles). This process is a normal procedure for fermenting red wines; Burgundian winemakers discovered that it often added complexity to their Chardonnays, and now this process enriches many white wines from around the world.

Sur lie (France)

This term describes a wine that has been allowed to lie on its lees for some time before being racked off. The intention is to add extra richness and flavour to the wine.

Sweet

Usually indicates the presence of residual sugar, retained when grape sugar is not completely converted to alcohol. Even dry wines, however, may have an aroma of sweetness, the combination of intense fruit or ripeness. Considered a flaw if not properly balanced with acidity.

Sweet (see also Cloying, Rich, Ripe)

Refers to one of the four basic tastes detected by the sensory nerves of the human tongue. In the description of wine taste-flavour the term "sweet" is almost always used as an identifier denoting the presence of residual sugar and/or glycerin. Wine aromas require a descriptive term to identify the source of the perceived sensation - (eg: "ripe", "lush").

SYMPHONY

White-wine producing grape-cross derived from Muscat of Alexandria and Grenache Gris created in 1948 by a Univ. Davis viticulturist. The wine has an unusual resistance to oxidation, maintaining its light color, delicate Muscat flavor and bouquet for ten or more years. Fully ripens around late September in central California where it is mainly used as a varietal or blending wine in sweet, sparkling or dry format. May be the variety known as Symphonie in the Alsace region of France.

Synthetic closure

The posh phrase for plastic cork. The intention is to prevent cork taint. For more information see my information pages on corks and screwcaps and faulty wines

SYRAH

A grape variety associated with the Rhone Valley region of France, famous for creating "Hermitage" red wine. Recent research (reported 27 June '01) has determined that the parents of this variety are most likely to be Mondeuse Blanche x Dureza. In south

Süssreserve (Germany)

Unfermented grape juice which may be added to wines of QbA classification in order to increase the sugar content. The addition of süssreserve is not permitted for QmP wines.

SZAGOS FEHER

Variety reportedly used as part of certain sparkling white-wine blends in France and for dessert wines elsewhere. (No other details as yet other than it is also referred to as the Feher Szagos variety, possibly the late-ripening Munson cultivar of the same name).

Szamoridni (Hungary)

A Tokay Szamoridni is one where no distinction has been made between healthy and nobly rotten grapes. They are all fermented together, and as the proportion of the latter grapes is usually small the wines are most commonly dry.