Maturation

/mat-yur-AY-shun/

🍷Winemaking 👃Tasting

The development and aging of wine.

Full Definition

Maturation encompasses all aging processes that develop wine's character - in barrel, tank, or bottle. During maturation, tannins polymerize, colors evolve, and tertiary aromas develop. The optimal maturation period varies widely by wine style. Some wines are released young; others require decades to reach peak maturity.

Related Terms

aging elevage development

See Also

Master of Wine Back to Glossary Mature

More terms starting with M

Maceration

Soaking grape skins in juice to extract color, tannin, and flavor.

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Wine showing oxidation and heat damage, like Madeira.

Magnum

A 1.5-liter bottle, holding two standard bottles.

Malic Acid

A tart acid in grapes, converted to lactic acid during ML.

Malolactic Fermentation

Bacterial conversion of tart malic acid to softer lactic acid.

Master of Wine

The most prestigious wine qualification worldwide.