Glossary
Mature
/muh-CHOOR/
Wine that has developed with age and is ready to drink.
Full Definition
Mature describes wine that has aged sufficiently to develop complexity, integrate components, and reach optimal drinking. Primary fruit evolves into secondary and tertiary characteristics. Determining maturity is subjective; some prefer youthful wines while others wait decades. Most wine is made for immediate consumption.
Related Terms
See Also
Reference
More terms starting with M
Maceration
Soaking grape skins in juice to extract color, tannin, and flavor.
Madeirized
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.