Results for Letter u
Ullage: Refers to the small air space in a wine bottle or barrel. Excessive air in the bottle increases the speed of oxidation.
Umami: Although there is no direct English translation, umami is essentially the fifth taste. Discovered and noted by Chinese gourmets more than 1,200 years ago, the concept is fairly new to western scientists and gourmets alike. Mushrooms, consommés, long-cooked meats, cured meats, shrimp, dried tomatoes and soy sauce all contain umami. This taste tends to bring out tannins or the oaky character in wines.
Unfiltered: Describes a wine that has not been pumped through a screen or pad to remove leftover grape and fermentation particles. While many wines are filtered for both clarity and stability, some winemakers choose not to filter their wines, believing that the process may strip them of flavors and complexity.
Unfined: Describes a wine that has not been clarified using agents such as bentonite (powdered clay), isinglass (fish bladder), casein (milk protein), gelatin or egg whites. These agents combine with sediment particles in wine, causing them to settle to the bottom, where they can be easily removed. Some winemakers choose not to fine their wines, believing that the process may strip them of complexity and mouthfeel.
Unità Geografiche Aggiuntive (UGA): Meaning "Additional Geographic Units," this is an Italian designation for subzones of an appellation. Currently it is used in Italy's Tuscany region for 11 subzones of the Chianti Classico appellation. Established by the Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico in 2021, the designation identifies distinctive, historic and enologically significant growing sites in the area. With the first phase of implementation, this designation can only be used for wines at Chianti Classico's highest quality level, gran selezione. The 11 UGAs are Castellina, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Gaiole, Greve, Lamole, Montefioralle, Panzano, Radda, San Casciano, San Donato in Poggio and Vagliagli.
