Wine Glossary

A

Amphora
Ancient clay vessels that give wine earthy, unfiltered character. Winemakers love them for that artisanal, back-to-nature feel.

Ausbruch
Found mainly in Austria, Ausbruch wines are made by blending botrytis (noble rot)-affected grapes with late-harvest grapes. It’s a rare treat—intensely sweet, complex, and something of a local treasure.

Auslese
“Select harvest,” indicating grapes were harvested late, at the peak of ripeness. Expect a lush, concentrated sweetness—ideal for pairing with desserts or blue cheese.

B

Beerenauslese
Literally “berry selection,” this term refers to wines made from individually handpicked, overripe grapes, often affected by noble rot (botrytis). These wines are luscious, golden, and incredibly sweet, with flavours like honey, apricot, and marmalade. It’s pure decadence in a glass, typically sipped as a dessert wine or paired with rich, flavourful cheeses.

Biodynamic
Beyond organic, biodynamic wines are made following farming principles in sync with lunar cycles. Like planting your garden based on the moon, it’s both science and a bit of mystique.

Blaufränkisch
Austria’s darling red grape, known for its bold acidity and dark, spicy character. Called Lemberger in Germany, it’s a powerhouse of blackberry and pepper with a touch of tannin.

Botrytis (Noble Rot)
A “happy fungus” that dries out grapes, concentrating sugars and flavours for lusciously sweet wines. Botrytis-affected wines are a taste of magic—rich, honeyed, and rare.

C

Cuvée
A blend of wines or grapes, crafted by the winemaker to achieve balance or highlight regional flavours. 

D

DAC (Districtus Austriae Controllatus)
Austria’s stamp of regional pride, indicating the wine’s origin. It’s the local seal of quality and terroir, like “only in Austria” for wine.

Dornfelder
A German red varietal that’s deep, fruity, and ready to please. Think ripe cherries with a touch of spice—it’s great for casual sipping or pairing with sausages and schnitzel.

E

Edelzwicker
Alsatian for “noble blend,” but also found in German-speaking regions. These wines are usually light and easy-going, ideal for picnics or casual gatherings with friends.

Einzellage
This is the German term for a single vineyard, similar to a French “cru.” It indicates that the wine comes from a specific, named vineyard site, which usually has distinct characteristics from neighbouring areas. Wines from Einzellage sites are often crafted to showcase a unique terroir.

Eiswein
German for “ice wine,” made from grapes frozen on the vine. Sweet and richly concentrated, it’s the result of a cold-weather harvest—intensely fruity, like liquid candy.

F

Federweißer
A half-fermented wine, fizzy and fresh, served in autumn. Often found at German and Austrian harvest festivals, it’s like the bubbly cousin of young wine and is enjoyed within weeks of production.

G

Glühwein
This is the iconic German and Austrian mulled wine, typically enjoyed during winter and Christmas markets. Made by heating red wine with spices like cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and orange peel, it’s warming, aromatic, and simply festive. Just add a chilly evening, a cozy blanket, and you’re all set!

Grauburgunder
German for Pinot Gris (or Pinot Grigio). This grape is known for wines ranging from light and zesty to full-bodied and spicy. If you’re in the mood for something with character, this one has range!

Grüner Veltliner
Austria’s most famous white grape, known for zesty acidity, white pepper, and a bit of citrus zing. Grüner is the life of the Austrian wine party—refreshing, crisp, and equally happy with schnitzel or sushi.

Grosse Lage
The top classification in Germany’s VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter) system, indicating a grand cru-level vineyard. Grosse Lage wines are produced under strict standards and are the epitome of quality, representing the very best a vineyard has to offer.

Grosses Gewächs (GG)
The cream of the crop in Germany’s VDP system, indicating a top-tier wine from a single vineyard. Think of it as the German “grand cru”—powerful, refined, and built for aging. A GG must always be dry. 

H

Halbtrocken
A middle-ground style between dry and sweet. Off-dry you may say. Ideal if you want a touch of sugar without a full-on sweet experience. If you’re stuck between sweet and dry, this might be your “Goldilocks” wine.

Heuriger
Traditional Austrian taverns serving only this year’s wine, often poured from ceramic pitchers with hearty food on the side. Grab a seat, enjoy a slice of local life, and let the Gemütlichkeit (cosiness) soak in.

J

Jahrgang
This simply means "vintage" in German, referring to the year the grapes were harvested. Jahrgang often points to the uniqueness of that particular year’s growing conditions, which adds character and distinction to the wine.

K

Kabinett
An entry-level quality designation for Prädikatswein, Kabinett wines are usually light, refreshing, and lower in alcohol. They’re perfect for those sunny afternoons when you want something delicate.

L

Lemberger- See Blaufränkisch. Known in Germany as Lemberger, this spicy, dark-fruited grape is full of depth and complexity. With notes of pepper and berries, it’s Austria and Germany’s answer to bold reds. Known as Kekfrankos in Hungary.

Lese
German for “harvest.” This term shows up in wines like Spätlese, meaning “late harvest,” and generally indicates the grapes have had time to ripen fully, yielding wines with a bit more body and sweetness.

M

Manzoni Bianco
An Italian grape, created as a cross between Riesling and Pinot Blanc, known for its floral, apple, and mineral notes. Some winemakers in Austria and Germany have taken a liking to this grape for its vibrant acidity and aromatic character.

Müller-Thurgau
An easy going German white, originally created as a cross between Riesling and Madeleine Royale. It’s approachable, soft, and fruity—the perfect white wine for those just starting their wine journey.

Mosel
Germany’s famous Riesling region with steep slopes and slate soils, yielding some of the most elegant, mineral-rich Rieslings in the world. Mosel wines are vibrant, sometimes bone-dry, and always memorable.

N

Neuer Wein
Literally “new wine,” this is Germany’s term for Federweißer (see above), and it’s typically enjoyed young and fizzy at harvest time. Think fresh, fruity, and refreshing, ideal for crisp autumn evenings.

R

Riesling
Germany’s flagship grape, adored in Austria too, with a range from dry to sweet. Known for its zesty acidity and floral, citrusy profile, Riesling can take you from dinner to dessert effortlessly.

Rotgipfler
A lesser-known Austrian white from the Thermenregion, with rich, tropical notes and a creamy mouthfeel. It’s a great find for those looking to explore beyond the classics.

S

Sauvignon Blanc
Though more famous in France and New Zealand, German and Austrian versions of this grape often have a unique herbal edge, with less tropical intensity and more focus on green apple and minerality.

Schieferboden
This translates to “slate soil,” a type of rocky soil famous in regions like the Mosel, which gives wines a characteristic minerality and elegance, especially Rieslings. 

Sekt
German sparkling wine, which can range from dry to sweet and is often made from Riesling or other local grapes. Sekt is mostly light and lively, but can also get super complex as the best bottles also have a phenomenal ageing potential. For those in the know, “Winzersekt” is a special category made by smaller, quality-focused producers.

Silvaner
Often found in Germany and parts of Austria, Silvaner is a crisp white wine with subtle fruit and herbaceous flavours. It’s the ideal pairing for fresh salads, seafood, and the softer side of cuisine.

Spätburgunder
German Pinot Noir! Lighter in body than the French version but no less charming, with delicate red fruit, subtle earthiness, and a refined finish.

Spätlese
Meaning “late harvest,” these wines are harvested later for extra ripeness and sweetness. They’re semi-sweet, often with a lovely floral quality, and ideal for enjoying with mildly sweet dishes.

St Laurent
A red grape variety grown in Austria and Germany, known for its rich berry flavors and smooth tannins. St. Laurent has a slightly wild, spicy character and is often compared to Pinot Noir, though it’s typically darker and more intense.

Steinfeder
The lightest category of wine in Austria’s Wachau, fresh and easy to drink, named after a feathery local grass. It’s like sipping an alpine breeze.

T

Teroldego
An Italian red grape with a bit of a cult following in regions like Trentino, but you’ll also see it loved by a few producers in Austria. Known for its dark berry flavours and bold structure, Teroldego brings a rustic charm to the table, with a touch of spiciness. Check out the wines from Foradori for some of the greatest expressions of this unique grape varietal. 

Trocken
Simply, “dry.” If you see “trocken” on a German or Austrian label, it’s a promise of minimal residual sugar. It’s like saying, “don’t worry, no surprises here.”

Trollinger
A light, fruity red grape grown mainly in Württemberg, Germany, where it’s often enjoyed as an easy-drinking table wine. Also known as Schiava in Italy, Trollinger is loved for its fresh, berry-driven flavours and approachable style—great for serving slightly chilled for casual sipping or summer picnics.

V

VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter)
An association of top German wine estates known for quality and authenticity. Wines with the VDP eagle symbol are held to high standards—think traditional with a modern twist.

Veltliner
Shorthand for Grüner Veltliner, Austria’s celebrated grape. Expect lively acidity and hints of spice, perfect for dishes like roast pork, risotto, or classic Viennese fare.

W

Weingut
German for “wine estate.” When you see Weingut on the label, it means the wine comes from a dedicated estate that grows, harvests, and bottles its own grapes—often a sign of quality and care.

Weissburgunder
Also known as Pinot Blanc or Pinot Biance, Weissburgunder is a white grape that produces wines typically on the lighter, refreshing side, with delicate aromas of apple, pear, and a hint of almond. It’s smooth, subtle, and often has a creamy texture, thanks to a bit of malolactic fermentation. Weissburgunder is loved in both Germany and Austria for its elegance and versatility, making it a fantastic pairing with lighter dishes like fish, poultry, or soft cheeses.

Wachau
One of Austria’s premier wine regions, famed for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. The Wachau has a unique classification system: Steinfeder (light), Federspiel (medium), and Smaragd (full-bodied).

Z

Zweigelt
Austria’s most widely planted red grape variety, known for its juicy cherry, raspberry, and sometimes earthy notes. Zweigelt is like a crowd-pleasing, medium-bodied red that can range from bright and fresh to more complex and spicy, depending on how it’s made.