You are here: Home > Wine 101 > Wine Glossary > (All in letter) L

 


>> Wine 101





Wine Dictionary & Glossary

Search our wine glossary:

Browse entries by letter:

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

 


Glossary entries from the letter, L

 

Lactic Acid

The end product of malolactic fermentation in which bacteria consume malic acid and produce lactic acid. This process reduces the overall acidity of wine because lactic acid is not as strong an acid as malic acid.
 Lactic Acid - Wine Glossary

Late Harvest Wine

A somewhat generic name that indicates a sweet wine. The late harvest designation suggests grapes left on the vine to dry out, reducing the water in the grape and raising the sugar concentration in the must.
 Late Harvest Wine - Wine Glossary

Lean

A wine tasting descriptor that is used with wines that display an absence of fruit, and these wines are often on the acidic side. The term is similar but less severe than the descriptor austere.
 Lean - Wine Glossary

Lees

Name for the sediment that collects on the bottom of the fermentation vessel. Lees are primarily composed of dead yeast and grape particles. In most instances, the lees are removed by transferring the wine into another vessel and leaving the solids behind. This is called “racking” the wine. In a process called Sur Lie, some wines are left in contact with the lees to develop more intense flavors.
 Lees - Wine Glossary

Legs

The tracks of liquid that cling to a wine glass after the contents have been swirled.
 Legs - Wine Glossary


All listings in our wine glossary