French Wine Label Glossary

Term Definition
   
AC Appellation Contrùlèe
AOC Appellation d'Origine Contrùlèe
Barrique 225 litre oak cask
Blanc White
Blanc de blanc White wine from white grapes
Blanc de Noirs White wine from black grapes
Brut Dry (usually for sparking wines)
Cave Cellar
Cave coopératif Cooperative cellar
Cépage Grape variety
Château Property usually making/bottling its own wine
Chai Warehouse for storing wine, usually in barrels, above ground
Clos Walled vineyard
Commune Village
Côte Slope of a hill
Crémant Sparkling
Cru Growth from a specific vineyard
Cru Bourgeois Classification used for Mèdoc properties
Cru Classé Classed growth
Cuve Wine vat or tank
Cuve Close Bulk method for sparkling wine making
Cuvée Blend
Demi-Sec Semi-dry
Domaine Property usually making/bottling its own wine
Doux Sweet
Foudre Large wooden vat
Grand Vin Château's main wine
Grand Cru Great growth highest vineyard classification
Grand Cru Classè Classed great growth
Grande marque Champagne house
Marque Brand
Mèthode champenoise Champagne method of making sparkling wine
Mis en bouteille Bottled
Moelleux Fairly sweet
Monopole Exclusive brand name
Négociant Merchant
Pétillant/Pétillance A light sparkle
Premier Cru First growth, 2nd highest vineyard classification
Rècolte Harvest or vintage
Rèserve A superior wine
Rouge Red
Sec Dry
Supérieur Indicated extra 0.5% or 1% ABV
Sous marque Secondary brand
Tete de Cuvèe Wine from first pressing
Vendange Harvest or vintage
Vigneron Vine grower
Vin de Pays Country wine
Vin de Table Table wine