Uncorked:
Wine Terms Explained

Uncorked is a growing resource designed to help you navigate the language of wine. This page is constantly evolving, with new terms and insights added regularly—so be sure to check back often to discover what’s new.

Organic Wines

Organic wines are made from grapes grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers, using farming methods that protect the environment and promote soil health.

Certified organic wines also avoid genetically modified organisms and limit additives in the winemaking process.

The result is a cleaner, more natural wine that reflects the true character of the vineyard and supports sustainable agriculture.

Biodynamic Wines

Biodynamic wines are made from grapes grown according to biodynamic farming principles, which treat the vineyard as a self-sustaining ecosystem.

This holistic approach uses natural preparations, follows lunar cycles, and avoids synthetic chemicals. The result is wine that reflects both the terroir and the vitality of the vineyard.

Demeter certified Wines

Demeter Certified wines are crafted using biodynamic farming practices that go beyond organic standards.

This holistic approach treats the vineyard as a self-sustaining ecosystem, enhancing soil health and biodiversity without synthetic chemicals.

Every step—from soil to bottle—follows strict guidelines to promote environmental balance and vitality. The Demeter seal guarantees authenticity, purity, and a deep respect for nature in every sip.

Organic Kosher certified Wines

Organic kosher wines are crafted from organically grown grapes, free from synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and produced in accordance with strict kosher guidelines under rabbinical supervision.

These wines combine the purity of organic farming with the integrity of kosher winemaking, ensuring they meet both environmental and religious standards. The result is a wine that’s natural, ethically made, and suitable for kosher observance.

Kosher wine must follow specific guidelines rooted in Jewish dietary laws (kashrut) and religious traditions. Here are the key requirements:

Ingredients: All ingredients, including fining agents, must be kosher. This excludes animal-derived substances like gelatin or isinglass unless they come from kosher sources.
Production by Observant Jews: From the time the grapes are crushed until the wine is bottled and sealed, only Sabbath-observant Jews may handle the wine and equipment. This ensures ritual purity.
Dedicated Equipment: Wine must be produced using equipment (tanks, presses, barrels, etc.) that is either new or used exclusively for kosher production—or thoroughly cleaned and kashered (ritually purified).
No Additives from Non-Kosher Sources: Any enzymes, yeasts, or additives used must also be certified kosher.
No Use of Orlah or Shmittah Grapes: Grapes from vines younger than four years (orlah) or from fields left fallow during the sabbatical year (shmittah) in Israel cannot be used.
Mevushal (Optional Subcategory): Mevushal wine is flash-pasteurized, allowing it to be served by non-Jews while retaining its kosher status. This is common in restaurants and events.

Kosher certification is typically indicated on the label by a recognized symbol from an authorized kosher certifying agency.

Histamine-free Wines

Histamine-free wines are crafted to reduce or eliminate histamines, compounds naturally produced during fermentation that can cause headaches, congestion, or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Winemakers achieve this by using specific yeast strains, controlling fermentation conditions, and carefully managing hygiene to minimize histamine formation.

While no wine can be completely free of histamines, these wines are specially produced to be much lower in histamine content, offering a gentler option for those with sensitivities.

Amber Wine
(aka Orange Wine aka
Skin Contact Wine)

Amber, or orange, wines are white wines made using ancient techniques where the grape skins are left in contact with the juice during fermentation, much like red wine production.

This skin contact imparts a rich amber hue, along with complex flavors and tannins typically absent in white wines. Often unfiltered and made with minimal intervention, amber wines have a bold, textured character with notes of dried fruit, tea, nuts, and spices.

They pair well with a wide range of foods, especially fermented or umami-rich dishes.

Viniculture

Viniculture refers to the science and practice of making wine. It focuses on the processes that occur after grapes are harvested, including fermentation, aging, blending, and bottling.

Viniculture decisions shape a wine’s flavor, texture, and character, influenced by tradition, technology, and winemaking philosophy.

Viticulture

Viticulture is the cultivation and management of grapevines. It involves everything from soil preparation and vine planting to pruning, pest control, and harvest timing.

Viticulture is key to grape quality, which in turn greatly affects the final wine.

Uncorked: Wine Terms Explained