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Wine glossary
N
Nasal Fatigue
Diminished sensory perception; not uncommon after sniffing the same scent a number of times.
Natural Wine
A generalized term used to describe wines that are produced with sustainable, organic, and/or biodynamic viticulture. Wines are processed using minimal or no additives, including sulfur dioxide (sulfites). Because of the lack of clarification and fining, natural wines are typically cloudy and some may still contain yeast sediment. Generally speaking, natural wines are fragile and sensitive and should be stored carefully.
Native Yeast
Also known as indigenous, ambient or wild yeasts, these are yeasts that occur naturally on the grapes or in the cellar, rather than commercially cultured yeasts; both are used for fermentation. Some argue that native yeasts are more authentic, but most producers favor the reliability of cultured yeasts.
Nebuchadnezzar
A 15 liter wine bottle. Equal to 20 standard bottles.
Negociant
A French term for a person or company that buys wines from others and then labels it under his or her own name; stems from the French word for ‘shipper.’
Nervous
Nervous wines offer higher levels of acidity and brighter flavors. Similar to racy or nervy.
Nevers
A forest in France that produces hard, medium-grained oak for barrels.
New Oak
The first time a barrel has been used to age wine. Barrels can be used numerous times.
New World
The New World is comprised of countries that have started producing wine more recently than the countries of Europe, including the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina and South Africa.
Noble Grapes (Alsace)
Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Muscat. The French term is cépages nobles. These varieties, if made from Alsace Grand Cru vineyards, can be labeled under the Alsace Grand Cru AOC.
Noble rot
Is the beneficial form of a grey fungus, Botrytis cinerea, affecting wine grapes.
Noble Varieties
Considered the classic grape varieties, originating in the Old World, which have the ability to make outstanding wines. Reds include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Nebbiolo, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese and Syrah (Shiraz in the Southern Hemisphere). Whites include Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gerwürztraminer, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.
Non-Vintage
A wine blended with grapes grown in more than one vintage. This allows the vintner to keep a house style from year to year. Many Champagnes and sparkling wines are non-vintage. Also, Sherry and the non-vintage Ports, the tawnies and the rubies.
Nose
Synonymous with bouquet; the sum of a wine’s aromas.
Nouveau
A style of light, fruity, youthful red wine bottled and sold as soon as possible. Applies mostly to Beaujolais.
Nutty
Most often used to describe oxidized wines. But it can also be a useful descriptor for sweet wines made from grapes attacked by Botrytis.