See a PREVIEW of what's inside!
     
 
   
       
 
At first, these terms might seem quite confusing. But, after you drink a few different types of wine they will start to make more sense. We've tried to simplify as much as possible, while still capturing the characteristics that make wine so unique. If anything doesn't make sense, or if you would like any additional information, send us an email and we will happily answer your questions.
    
       
 
WINE INFORMATION
       
  Producer
Name
The name of the winery or vineyard that produced the wine. When entering a new wine, only include the part of the producer name that distinguishes it from others. Typically exclude 'winery' or 'vineyards.'
  
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  Vintage
The year the grapes were harvested to make the wine. Some wines that are blended from different vintage years are labeled 'non-vintage' or 'NV.' This is typical of many types of Champagne, where consistency from year to year is sought.
 
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  Wine Type Red - all red varietals
White - all white varietals
Rosé - rosé colored wines, usually made from red varietals
Sparkling White - fizzy white wine, anything that looks like Champagne
Sparkling Red - fizzy red wine (made primarily in Australia)
Dessert White - sweet or fortified (additional alcohol added) white wines
Dessert Red - sweet or fortified (additional alcohol added) red wines, includes Port 		 
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  Primary
Varietal
The grape varietal listed on the label. If the varietal on the label is not available on the site, then put the varietal in the Additional Descriptor field.
 
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  Region
Information
Region information can be confusing. Usually you will only find the smallest region listed on the label . Use the search function on the site to help determine where the label information fits in the following hierarchy:
 
       
    Country - The country where the grapes that went into the wine were grown.
Region - The region where the grapes were grown.
Appellation - The appellation where the grapes were grown.
SubAppellation - The subappellation where the grapes were grown.		  
   
 
   

Tip: the region where the grapes came from is often times not the same place where the winery is located. Usually the winery will include their address on the back label and the region information for the wine on the front label.

When you enter a new wine, we will check it and fix any mistakes. So don't worry if you think you missed something!

  
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  Specific
Vineyard
This will be indicated on the label if all the grapes used came from the same vineyard.
 
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  Additional
Descriptor
This is a 'catch-all' category since wineries often do their best to make things as difficult as possible. Use this field for anything on the label that is necessary to distinguish a particular wine. Examples include: Reserve, Estate, Meritage, Spatlese, etc. Generally, if it doesn't fit anywhere else and you think its important, then it goes here.
 
   
 
   
Tip: try using the region search on the site if you come across information on a label that seems strange. Often times the extra information is region information.
 
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  % Alcohol
This is almost always printed somewhere on the label. The information is useful because the percentage alcohol can impact the way a wine tastes and ages.
  
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  Cases Produced
The number of cases of the wine that the winery made. This information is often hard, if not impossible, to find. Just look on the label, if it doesn't state the number of cases made, simply leave this field blank.
 
   
 
 
     
 
TASTING NOTE DETAILS
       
  Color
The color of the wine. Use our words or your own in the written comments.
 
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  Aroma and Flavor
The smells and tastes of a wine can take on many forms. We have listed the most common that are associated with wine, but feel free to add your own in the 'Add Your Own' field.
 
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  Overall Taste
Use if one of the following general tastes applies to the wine; otherwise, just leave it blank.
 
   
 
    Crisp Acidity - Acid is found in all wine and is necessary to enliven and shape a wine's flavors. It can be identified by the crisp, sharp character it imparts.
Sweet - Use if the wine tastes sweet.
Bitter - Often related to a wine's tannins, bitterness is identifiable by the mouth-puckering sensation it causes.
Tart - Use if the wine is sour or tart overall. 		 
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  Tannin
The substance found primarily in red wine that dries out your mouth. Tannin is also found in tea. If you have ever let your tea steep too long, the tannin causes a bitter, drying sensation. Tannin acts as a natural preservative, helping wine age.
 
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  Balance
Balance is what every wine strives for. It occurs when all the wine's components are in harmony, with no single characteristic dominating the others.
 
   
 
    Balanced - All characteristics are in harmony.
Unbalanced - Use if one aspect of the wine is dominating other characteristics.
Complex - A step up from balanced, a complex wine incorporates its characteristics at different stages and layers whilst preserving an overall sense of balance. 		 
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  Drinking
Window
There is no science to this, rather it is simply a judgment that is made based on the characteristics of the wine. Usually a wine is thought to be age-worthy if it has a good balance of tannin, fruit and alcohol. When an age-worthy wine is young, it is often noticeably tannic.
 
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  Mouthfeel
This is simply the way the wine 'feels' in your mouth.
 
   
 
    Effervescent - A fizzy sensation. Used primarily for sparkling wines, but other wines may be effervescent as well.
Smooth - Use if the wine has a texture that is smooth. Extremely smooth wines can be lush or silky.
Viscous - Describes a thick texture. Extremely viscous wines can be syrupy.
Astringent - This describes a rough, harsh texture that is often times from heavy tannins or high acidity. If the harshness stands out, the wine is astringent.
Alcoholic - Does the alcohol overpower the flavors of the wine? Overly alcoholic tasting wines are also describes as 'hot.' 		 
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  Body
The weight or fullness of the wine.
 
   
 
    Lean - A light-bodied wine. Can be a negative if the wine seems watery.
Medium - Somewhere in between Lean and Rich.
Rich - A dense wine that is often slightly sweet and supple.
Voluminous - The wine presents intensity and vivaciousness filling the mouth with its presence.
Extracted - The depth of concentration of fruit in a wine. If a wine looks really dark or opaque with a strong fruit flavor, it is often described as extracted. 		 
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  Finish
Also called the aftertaste, this is the length of time that the wine's flavors persist in the mouth after it is swallowed.
 
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  Decanting
The process of pouring the wine into another container in order to expose it to air and remove sediment. Usually red wines will 'open-up,' showing more aroma and flavor with time in a decanter.
  
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  Corked
Describes a wine having the musty, moldy flavor and aroma and dry aftertaste caused by a faulty cork. Usually a wine is not drinkable if it is corked.
 
 
 
     


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