Don’t know a wine term? The Wine Jargon Toolkit can help!

I hope that you find this quick dictionary helpful. I will be adding terms to the Mommelier Wine Jargon Toolkit as I write more and more. As always, if you have a good term that should be in the dictionary, I am all ears…tell me about it.

MOMMELIER WINE JARGON TOOLKIT

Tannins – substance found in black grape skins that give a red wine structure and complexity. Tannins are identified as that dry stuff in your mouth that is felt on your teeth and gums.

Acidity – comes from grape juice and is very important to wine. You can identify it acidity in wine as the mouthwatering sensation (floods from the bottom up). Acidity balances a wine.

7 Noble Wines – international varieties that grow well in many climates and also tend to be consistent in flavor. 3 White Grapes: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Rielsing. 4 Red Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah/Shiraz.

Chianti Classico – a wine produced in the Chianti region of Tuscany, Italy that is typically a blend of at 80% sangiovese grapes (minimum is 70%) and 20% other grapes. It was historically associated with a straw basket called a Fiasco, which is now only used by a few makers. The original blend was made during the medieval times by the Ricasoli family.

Terroir – the natural environment in which a particular wine is produced, including factors such as soil, topography and climate. The characteristic taste and flavor are imparted into a wine.