Term | Meaning |
| |
AC | Appellation Contrôlée |
AOC | Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée |
Barrique | 225 litre oak cask |
Blanc de blanc | White wine from white grapes |
Blanc de Noirs | White wine from black grapes |
Brut | Dry (usually for sparking wines) |
Cave | Cellar |
Cave coopératif | Cooperative cellar |
Cépage | Grape variety |
Château | Property usually making/bottling its own wine |
Clos | Walled vineyard |
Commune | Village |
Côte | Slope of a hill |
Crémant | Sparkling |
Cru | Growth from a specific vineyard |
Cru Bourgeois | Classification used for Médoc properties |
Cru Classé | Classed growth |
Cuve | Wine vat or tank |
Cuve Close | Bulk method for sparkling wine making |
Cuvée | Blend |
Demi-Sec | Semi-dry |
Domaine | Property usually making/bottling its own wine |
Doux | Sweet |
Élevage | Maturation & pre bottling treatment |
Foudre | Large wooden vat |
Fût | Small oak cask |
Grand Vin | Château's main wine |
Grand Cru | Great growth highest vineyard classification |
Grand Cru Classé | Classed great growth |
Grande marque | Champagne house |
Marque | Brand |
Méthode champenoise | Champagne method of making sparkling wine |
Mis en bouteille | Bottled |
Moelleux | Fairly sweet |
Monopole | Exclusive brand name |
Négociant | Merchant |
Pétillant/Pétillance | A light sparkle |
Premier Cru | First growth, 2nd highest vineyard classification |
Récolte | Harvest or vintage |
Réserve | A superior wine |
Sec | Dry |
Sous marque | Secondary brand |
Tete de Cuvée | Wine from first pressing |
Vendange | Harvest or vintage |
Vigneron | Vine grower |
Vin de Pays | Country wine |
Vin de Table | Table wine |