Vintner's Vocabulary

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Varietal Character

The particular characteristics associated with a grape picked at optimum maturity.

Vinification

Winemaking, including all the operations and processes involved. Often substituted for the word winemaking.

Vintage (Vintage Date)

The year in which the grapes for a wine were grown

Vintner

Indicates a wine producer or winemaker.

Viticultural Area

Defines a legal grape-growing area distinguished by geographical features, climate, soil, elevation, history and other definable boundaries. Rules vary widely from region to region, and change often. Just for one example, in the United States, a wine must be 85 percent from grapes grown within the viticultural area to carry the appellation name.

Viticulture

The science, cultivation and study of grape growing.

Vitis Labrusca

A breed of grapes native to North America.

Vitis Vinifera

A breed of grapes native to Europe.