Small cavity in the wall of an ageing cellar, where bottles are kept.

 

Red variety of late, medium production. It is grown in Corsica, where it produces pleasant rosés and medium quality red wines. It corresponds to Sangiovese Toscano.

 

Neutral inert gas found in the atmosphere. Nitrogen, as an inert gas, is often used to protect wine. Its neutrality converts it into a harmless component. It beneficially replaces oxygen (oxidising agent) during bottling and, in modern bottling machines, it fills the space between the cork and the wine. Nitrogen, as well as other inert gases, is also used in apparatus that allow to sell wine by glass. Only specialised stores, which have appropriate apparatus, can offer quality wines in open bottles. As the bottle is emptied, the free space is occupied by nitrogen, thus protecting the wine.

 

Inert gas used to preserve wine. It is very important for the grapevine and for the growing of yeasts during alcoholic fermentation.

 

On champagne labels, acronym for négociant-manipulant: winery or bottling house that buys grapes or wine for commercialisation.

 

Said of a vine capable of producing high quality wines; a vine that has gained national and international prestige. Many of these noble vines are international and have acclimatised to different regions. Examples of such vines are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling, Moscatel, Grenache, Tempranillo and Pinot Noir. Some of the Portuguese noble grape varieties are the red Touriga Nacional, Periquita, Trincadeira Preta, Tinta Roriz/Aragonês (Tempranillo) and the white Alvarinho and Arinto.

 

Each region has its own recommended grape varieties, which typify and individualise that region's wines.

 

Beneficial kind of rot caused by Botrytis cinerea.

 

Noble rot is also caused by Botrytis cinerea, but it can be considered beneficial. It attacks much sugared grape berries, but if the weather is appropriate, not too moist nor too hot, it develops in a positive way. The berries' skin becomes thinner and goldish as if burnt by the sun. The grapes dehydrate, thus increasing the sugar and pectin content. Wines obtained from these grapes are fortified and can reach a high finesse. Noble rot is positively used in some regions (Sauternes, Alsace, Reno, Ontario) to produce much appreciated liqueur wines. Harvest is performed in several successive passages. In each one of them one harvests the grapes that have reached the desired level of dehydration.

 

Prominence on the stem where the leaf is inserted.