Glossary
Rustic
/RUS-tik/
Simple, rough wine with earthy, unpolished character.
Full Definition
Rustic describes wines with earthy, unpolished, rough-edged character suggesting traditional or peasant winemaking. Can be positive (authentic, characterful, unpretentious) or negative (crude, unrefined). Rustic wines often pair well with hearty, country-style foods. The opposite of polished or refined.
Related Terms
See Also
Reference
More terms starting with R
Racking
Transferring wine off its sediment.
Racy
Wine with vibrant, energetic acidity.
Reduction
Sulfur compounds from lack of oxygen, creating off-odors.
Remuage
Gradually rotating sparkling wine bottles to collect sediment.
Reserve
A designation suggesting higher quality or longer aging.
Residual Sugar
Sugar remaining in wine after fermentation.