A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Screwcaps

Screwcaps are at the center of one of the biggest debates in the wine business. Overlooking the chemical intricacies surrounding different closure types and the benefits of each, many consumers associate screwcaps with cheap, inferior wine and/or enjoy the tradition and spectacle associated with the use of cork. Meanwhile, many consumers and producers who have wasted significant sums of money due to corked wines, support the use of alternative closures such as srewcaps.

Scuppernong

Scuppernong is a member of the Muscadine grape family and is native to the southeastern U.S. Wines made from scuppernong grapes have a rather unique and sweet flavor.

Sediment

Sediment is the small particles that accumulate in a bottle as it ages due to the interaction between bitartrates, tannins and color pigments. The sediment is harmless, although gritty and somewhat bitter, and should be removed through settling and decanting. Sediment is commonly found in older red wines, Port and in some white wines.

Sharp

Similar to "rough", sharp wines typically have excessive acids. Wines with excessive tannins can also be described as sharp.

Short

Wines described as "short" have very little finish or aftertaste. For crisp, white wines, a short finish may be desirable, but for red wines, a short finish is usually an indicator of a lower quality wine..

Silky

Silky wines have a soft, smooth texture, completely lacking any harsh, angular characteristics.

Simple

Simple wines lack complexity. Simple wines can have either agreeable or disagreeable flavors and aromas.

Smoky

The term "smoky" is used to describe wines that display a smoke (usually wood) aroma due to barrel aging and/or soil of origin. Soft: Soft wines have smooth tannins and low acidity and lack a sense of firmness.

Sommelier

Sommeliers are wine experts that typically work in restaurants and are responsible for selecting and serving wines that will compliment the restaurant's food.

Sour

The terms "acidic" or "tart" are usually used instead of the term sour to describe wines with excessive acid levels.

Spicy

The term "spicy" is used to describe wines that display aromas and flavors suggestive of spices such as clove, cinnamon, pepper, etc. The term is also used to describe wines that are lively, fresh and well structured.

Structure

The structure of a wine is determined by its body, texture, depth and length and the relationship between them.

Sugar Ripeness

Sugar ripeness refers to the condition when grapes have developed sufficient amounts of sugar to produce the desired style of wine. Sugar ripeness is related to, but separate from, physiological ripeness (the ripening of a grape's skins, seeds and stems). In warm areas, grapes often reach sugar ripeness prior to physiological ripeness. To ensure physiological ripeness, winemakers are sometimes forced to allow sugar levels to continue to increase beyond optimal levels. The resulting wine is normally full-bodied with very high-alcohol levels and low acidity.

Sulphur Dioxide

Sulpher dioxide's primary role in wine is to minimize the off-odors associated with oxidation. White wines and wines with high pH levels (low acidity) require higher levels of sulphur dioxide to counter oxidation's effects. Sulphur Dioxide, which can produce a struck-match smell in wines, is also added to crushed grapes to prevent the growth of, or kill, unwanted yeasts and bacteria that cause unpleasant odors and tastes. Due to consumer and producer interest in natural, additive-free wines, some producers create wines without the use of sulphur dioxide; only wines with no added sulfites (sulfite is produced naturally during fermentation) can be labeled as "organic wine". With regards to health issues associated with sulphur dioxide, the chemical can cause adverse reactions in asthmatics, and some wine drinkers, correctly or not, blame sulphur dioxide for causing wine headaches. Wines with no added sulfites can be located in AmericanWineryGuide.com database by selecting the "Organic Wine" filter.

Supple

Similar to silky wines, supple wines have a soft, fluid feel without harsh, angular characteristics.

Sur Lie

Sur lie translates to "on the lees" and refers to allowing wines to retain lees (dead yeast and grape particles) contact in the barrel during aging. Sur lie aging increases complexity and body and is often used with Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

Sustainable

According to the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, sustainable winegrowing is "growing and winemaking practices that are sensitive to the environment (Environmentally Sound), responsive to the needs and interests of society-at-large (Socially Equitable), and are economically feasible to implement and maintain (Economically Feasible). The combination of these three principles is often referred to as the three "E's" of sustainability."

Sweetness

The sense of sweetness in a wine is determined primarily by the amount of residual sugar present. The wine's acidity, tannins and alcohol level also influence a drinker's perception of sweetness. Dry wines with very ripe fruit flavors or vanilla flavors from oak aging will often seem to have a slight touch of sweetness.

Soft

Soft wines have smooth tannins and low acidity and lack a sense of firmness.