Glossary
Breathing
/BREE-thing/
Allowing wine to be exposed to air before serving.
Full Definition
Breathing exposes wine to oxygen, either by uncorking and waiting, or more effectively through decanting. This can help young wines soften and aromatic compounds develop. However, simply uncorking provides minimal surface area; actual decanting is more effective. Not all wines benefit from breathing.
Related Terms
See Also
Reference
More terms starting with B
Balance
Harmony between wine components: fruit, acid, tannin, alcohol.
Barrel
Wooden container used for fermenting and aging wine.
Barrique
A 225-liter oak barrel, the Bordeaux standard.
Batonnage
Stirring wine on its lees to add texture and complexity.
Biodynamic
Holistic farming approach following Rudolf Steiner's principles.
Bite
A sharp, acidic sensation in wine.