This week’s Wine Word of the Week was suggested by “Glen” on our Facebook Fan Page. This is a word I get asked about alot and I think we’ve all heard someone at one point or another remark “nice legs!” while pondering their glass after taking a sip of wine. So are these “legs” any indication of the quality of the wine and what exactly can they tell us? Let’s break it down.
The “legs” of a wine refers to the streaks that trace their way vertically down the inside of the glass after swirling or taking a sip of the wine. They are generally most noticeable in big, bold red wines although, to a lesser extent, they can be observed in white wine as well. From a professional standpoint (i.e. taking an exam or judging a wine) a wine’s “legs” are not very helpful because different glass soap/detergent can make them seem more or less pronounced so they are somewhat unreliable. Recreationally speaking however, the presence of legs can provide insight into either the alcohol and/or sugar content of a wine. Both alcohol and sugar increase a wine’s viscosity, or “thickness” of the liquid, meaning a higher presence of either substances will result in a more dramatic manifestation of “legs” in your glass.
In a dry, red wine, alcohol is largely responsible for the presence of legs. For example, if you compared a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon to a glass of Pinot Noir, the Cabernet Sauvignon would most likely have more prominent legs due to its higher alcohol content relative to Pinot Noir. On the other hand, if you were sipping a glass of Sauternes (the storied sweet, white dessert wine from Bordeaux) and noticed viscous, golden streaks on the inside of your glass, they would be due to the wine’s high sugar content. While the presence of “legs” can be reflective of a wine’s alcohol and/or sugar content, they are not indicative of a wine’s quality or price.
I hope that helps clarify the meaning of the term “legs” as it relates to wine. To suggest a word for our “Wine Word of the Week” segment, please post it on our Facebook Fan Page by clicking here. If we use your word, your name will be entered into a drawing to win a free month of The Wine Atelier’s “Explorateur” Wine Club – we look forward to hearing from you!
Cheers,
The word “Sommelier” might seem like an obvious “Wine Word of the Week” but I wanted to feature it as much for its definition as its pronunciation. I often see well-intentioned wine lovers tongue-tied with fear at the prospect of having to say the word aloud. I’m happy to take this opportunity to break it down and demystify it once and for all!
Sommelier is a French term that means “wine steward” or “a waiter in a restaurant who is in charge of serving wine,” according to Merriam-Webster. The correct pronunciation (drumroll please) is “suh-mel-YAY” and it rhymes with the word “everyday.” To dig a little deeper, Jancis Robinson’s “The Oxford Companion to Wine” states, “The sommelier’s job is to ensure that any wine ordered is served correctly and, ideally, to advise on the individual characteristics of every wine on the establishment’s wine list and on food and wine matching.”
Certain organizations such as the Court of Master Sommeliers (where yours truly received her certification) have a series of courses and exams which serve to evaluate potential candidates according to their standards of service and performance and commend certifications accordingly. One does not necessarily have to achieve certification from an organization, however, to perform the job of a sommelier in a restaurant or other establishment. Hands-on experience and self study can also provide the knowledge necessary to perform the duties required of this position.
Now go forth with your newfound knowledge and impress your friends and wine snobs alike with your ability to summon the sommelier with ease!
Cheers,
While not exclusively a “wine word” I’m choosing “atelier” to kick off our Wine Word of the Week series because, as you probably know, it’s part of the name of my online wine boutique: The Wine Atelier. As a result, I often get questions like, “What does that mean?” and/or, “How do you pronounce that?” so I thought I’d take this opportunity to explain.
“Atelier” is defined as, “an artist’s or designer’s studio or workroom; a workshop, usually a small space,” and Merriam-Webster explains this word’s origins as, “French, from Middle French astelier woodpile, from astele splinter, from Late Latin astella, diminutive of Latin astula. First known use: 1699.” You can also hear the correct pronunciation of this word by clicking here. I chose “atelier” to describe my retail boutique because I wanted to provide my clients with an individualized, education-based experience when shopping for wine featuring wines and producers I’ve personally selected as opposed to a giant warehouse brimming with all things alcoholic. Unfortunately, these days shopping for wine is less about exploring the world’s wine regions and empowering your palate than it is about discounts and sales. Not that price isn’t important when shopping for wine, I always offer my clients competitive pricing, I just don’t think that should be the only factor driving their decision.
So if you want to learn more about and explore the world of wine in addition to enjoying fabulous pricing, I hope you take this opportunity to explore our selection of wines online at The Wine Atelier. As always, if there’s something in particular you’re looking for, please feel free to contact us at info@wineatelier.com. Thanks for taking the time to learn more about us – we greatly appreciate it and look forward to exploring the world of wine with you in 2014 and beyond!
Cheers,
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