Q & A
What does “Pétillant” mean for a wine?
“Pétillant” is a French term that designates a lightly sparkling wine. The bubble level in terms of both size and quantity lies somewhere between Perlant (very low) and Mousseux (very bubbly).
Q & A
What is a “Petiole”?
The stalk that holds the leaf blade and lamina in place on a plant’s leaf is known as a petiole. Petioles, which branch from the main stem of the shoot and have comparable physical characteristics, are made of stem tissue…
Q & A
Understanding the “Saignée” technique in winemaking
“Saignée” is a French term meaning ‘bleeding’ (from ‘bleeding a tank’). It is a winemaking technique which results in a rosé wine made by running-off (or ‘bleeding’) a certain amount of free-run juice from just-crushed dark-skinned grapes, usually after a shot prefermentation maceration…
Q & A
What is the meaning of “Vieilles Vignes”?
“Vieilles Vignes” is the French term for ‘old vines’. This term may often appear on French wine label. However, it has no legal value which means that the reality covered by the term old vines vary greatly from wine estate to wine estate…
Q & A
What is called “Village Wine” in English or “Appellation Village” in French?
A “Village wine” applies to French wines and particularly to wines from the Burgundy region. It indicates a wine that qualifies for an appellation (see AOC) that corresponds with the name of the commune or village in which the wine is made…
Q & A
What is called “Verticillium Wilt”?
The “Verticillium Wilt” is a fungal disease which causes healthy vines to collapse suddenly…
Q & A
What is called « Vers de la Grappe » in French ?
The « Vers de la Grappe » is a French term that could be (wrongly) literally translated as “grape moth” in English is in fact an insect pest and an important cause of Botrytis…
Q & A
Understanding “VERJUS” (Verjuice)
“Verjus” is a French term (that has been literally translated as ‘verjuice’ in English) used to designate the juice made from unripe grapes. This ‘Verjus’ has many variations and many culinary uses, especially in dressings and sauces…
Q & A
Do Tannins have a taste?
Purely theoretically speaking, Tannins cannot be smelt or tasted, they only cause a tactile sensation. However, most wine professionals do agree on the fact that the bitterness and astringency felt on both the palate and more importantly on gums have a clear impact on how the wine taste in the mouth…
Q & A
The importance of Manganese for vines
Manganese is a soil nutrient essential for vine growth but it needs to be available in very low quantities otherwise it will be detrimental to the vine…