Glossary of Wine Terms - A

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ABC

Acronym for "Anything but Chardonnay" or "Anything but Cabernet". A term conceived by Bonny Doon's Randall Grahm to denote wine drinkers' interest in grape varieties.

Abfüllung (Erzeugerabfüllung)

Bottled by the proprietor. Will be on the label followed by relevant information concerning the bottler.

ABV

Abbreviation of alcohol by volume, generally listed on a wine label.

AC

Abbreviation for "Agricultural Cooperative" on Greek wine labels and for Adega Cooperativa on Portuguese labels.

Acescence

Wine with a sharp, sweet-and-sour tang can be described as having acescence. The acescence characteristics frequently recalls a vinegary smell.

Adega

Portuguese wine term for a winery or wine cellar.

Altar wine

The wine used by the Catholic Church in celebrations of the Eucharist.

AOC

Abbreviation for Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, (English: Appellation of controlled origin), as specified under French law. The AOC laws specify and delimit the geography from which a particular wine (or other food product) may originate and methods by which it may be made. The regulations are administered by the Institut National des Appellations d'Origine (INAO).

A.P. number

Abbreviation for Amtliche Prüfungsnummer, the official testing number displayed on a German wine label that shows that the wine was tasted and passed government quality control standards.

ATTTB

Abbreviation for the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, a United States government agency that is primarily responsible for the regulation of wines sold and produced in the United States.

Amontillado

Best described as a matured Fino. After the flor dies, the yeast sinks to the bottom of the wine and is no longer able to protect the Sherry from oxidation. The now unprotected Sherry begins to take on a rich and deep nutty flavor, and can now be described as Amontillado.

Anbaugebiet

A German wine region. Anbaugebiet are further divided into bereiche or districts.

Aperitif

A wine that is either drunk by itself (i.e. without food) or before a meal in order to stimulate the appetite.

Appellation

A geographically delineated wine region.

Aromatic

A wine with very noticeable and distinctive aromas

Ausbruch

Austrian term originally referring to the aszú production method of mixing grapes affected by noble rot with a fermenting base wine. Today a Prädikat in Austria, intermediate between Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese.

Auslese

German for "select harvest", a Prädikat in Germany and Austria.