Wine has its own language, and we’re here to help you speak it. Whether you’re new to wine or a seasoned enthusiast, our Wine Glossary provides easy-to-understand explanations of the terms, grape varieties, wine regions, and winemaking concepts you’ll encounter on your wine journey. Explore, learn, and deepen your appreciation of the fascinating world of wine.
We also recommend visiting the websites of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) and the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).
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Wine Glossary
There are currently 4 names in this directory beginning with the letter U.
Ugni Blanc (oo-n'yee blahn)
The French name (or at least one of the many French names) for the Trebbiano grape. In France this rather undistinguished grape (that is responsible for more wine than any other grape) is often used to make the base wine that will be distilled into brandy. Cognac and Armagnac are two well known brandy regions that use the grape.
Ullage (oo-lehj)
The amount of air that results in a barrel or bottle due to evaporation. In the barrel the missing wine is replaced to keep the wine from becoming oxidized (topping). In theory the same could be done with old bottles of wine (this is called recorking). It is rare to see recorked bottles of wine, and if it is done, there needs to be a complete explanation of the process and a certificate from the company that performed the task. The amount of ullage in a bottle greatly influences the value of the wine at auction.
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