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Wine glossary
H
Halbtrocken
In Austrian and German halbtrocken means «half-dry.» In Austria, wines may have between 10–18 g/L RS (depending on acidity level). In Germany, wines may have 10–18 g/L RS unless they are labeled «Classic» and then they will have no more than 15 g/L RS.
Half-bottle
Holds 375 milliliters or 3/8 liter.
Hang time
The amount of time a grape spends ripening on the vine.
Hard
Wines that are hard have rough tannins often with high acidity.
Harmonious
Well balanced, with no component obtrusive or lacking.
Harsh
Used to describe astringent wines that are tannic or high in alcohol.
Harvest
The process of picking the grapes, whether by hand or machine. Also the time period when the grapes are picked; usually September through October in the northern hemisphere and March through April in the southern hemisphere.
Haut
A French word meaning ‘high.’ It applies to quality as well as altitude.
Hazy
Used to describe a wine that has small amounts of visible matter. Characteristic of wines that are unfined and unfiltered.
Head-trained
Refers to a method of vine training. Head-trained vines are free-standing; a trunk is formed from which several branches will grow vertically, resembling a small tree.
Heady
Used to describe high-alcohol wines.
Hearty
Used to describe the full, warm, sometimes rustic qualities found in red wines with high alcohol.
Hectare
A metric measure equal to 10,000 square meters or 2.47 acres.
Hectoliter
A metric measure equal to 100 liters or 26.4 gallons.
Herbaceous
An aroma or flavor similar to green; often an indication of underripe grapes or fruit grown in a cool climate.
Hollow
A term used to describe a wine that doesnit have depth or body.
Honeyed
A common trait in sweet wine whites which have a honey character.
Horizontal Tasting
Wines that are served in peer group flights from the same vintage.
Hot
A description for wine that is high in alcohol.
Hybrid
Grape varieties that are the product of a crossing of two or more Vitis species. This is in contrast to crossings between grape varieties of the same species, typically Vitis vinifera, the European grapevine. Hybrid grapes are also referred to as inter-specific crossings or «Modern Varieties.»