Small label placed around the bottleneck. It usually mentions the harvest date.

 

Bacterial disease caused by Xanthomonas ampelina, which destroys the vine.

 

Delicious wine that causes immense pleasure. Mythical drink of gods.

 

In France, a négociant is the professional who buys wines in bulk, from the producer (usually cooperatives) and resells them to consumers or distributors. A merchant/producer is the professional who handles wines and brandies, performs the assemblages, bottles and preserves them for ageing. In Champagne, the merchant/manipulator buys harvests to produce champagne according to the champenoise method.

 

Red grape variety much grown in Madeira, being also acclimatised in Spain (Negramoll). It produces wines with good pigment, good acidity and much alcohol. It doesn't have the elegance of noble varieties (Malvasia, Boal, Verdelho,.), which produce the best Madeira wines.

 

Red variety grown in (southwest) France and California. It produces a rich, colourful and not very acid wine.

 

Worm that attacks grape berries. Berries affected by nematodes have wounds in their skin and are more sensitive to attacks from fungi (Botrytis cinerea). When one selects the vines, one looks for those more resistant to nematode attacks.

 

The wine's structure and muscle, which should be well balanced by alcohol and tannins.

 

With high (not necessarily excessive) acidity and astringency.

 

Fault in a wine without distinctive aromas or characters. Such wines are, however, used as base for sparkling wines.