Glossary
Legs
/LEGZ/
The droplets that run down the glass after swirling.
Full Definition
Legs (tears or curtains) are the droplets of wine that cling to the glass and slowly run down after swirling. They're caused by the Marangoni effect - differences in surface tension between alcohol and water. Slow, thick legs indicate higher alcohol or sugar content. Legs don't indicate quality.
Related Terms
See Also
Reference
More terms starting with L
Lactic Acid
The softer acid produced during malolactic fermentation.
Late Harvest
Wine from grapes picked after normal harvest for extra ripeness.
Lees
Dead yeast cells and grape solids that settle after fermentation.
Left Bank
The Cabernet-dominant side of Bordeaux.
Length
How long flavors persist after swallowing.
Lieu-dit
A named vineyard site, particularly in France.