Wine Notes - Lost in Translation

Sometimes something gets lost in translation – that’s why we opt to use the term in the native tongue when we write about wine. It’s less about pretense and more about being accurate. But sometimes we all need a little cheat-sheet to get on the same page. Here are a few French terms that could use a bit of expansion.

Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC): Indicates the official place-name of where the grapes were grown.

Château: A wine estate.

Cru: A vineyard, a village, or perhaps a wine estate.

Cuvée: A blended wine.

Domaine: A wine estate, often smaller than a château.

Millésime: Vintage.

Mis en Bouteille au Château: Estate-bottled.

A votre santé!: To your good health (cheers!)