The Wine Terminology That Baffles Britain’s Self-proclaimed Wine Lovers

Four in ten Brits are self-proclaimed “Wine Lovers”, yet most don’t know their terroirs from their tannins. Recent research reveals the twenty most confusing wine terms; how many of these do you know?

Researchers polled the nation and discovered that as many as four in ten Brits (42%) describe themselves as ” wine lovers,” yet over half (52%) admit they’re baffled by much of the terminology.

According to 60 per cent of those surveyed, the most confusing term is “terroirs,” with one in twenty thinking it means “terribly good.” In fact, the term refers to the environmental conditions that affect the taste and quality of a wine.

The study by new wine range CTZN reveals other terms that leave Brits scratching their heads, including “Caudalie” (44%), which means measuring how long the taste stays on the palate, and “oenology” (41%), which refers to the science of wine and winemaking.

The terms “maceration” (41%), which is the process of soaking wineskins to extract colour and tannins, and “cuvee” (41%), which is a wine made with a blend of different varieties of grapes – were also among the list of the twenty terms many don’t really understand.

Despite the gaps in our knowledge, half (48%) of Brits have been caught out at a dinner party for using terminology they didn’t properly comprehend.

A third (34%) have been left red-faced and awkward when asked to describe a bottle of wine they’ve brought to a dinner party, while one in three (36%) wouldn’t feel confident explaining what a blended wine is.

Despite these challenges, over two-thirds (84%) would like to increase their wine knowledge, the motivations including, feeling more confident when discussing wine (50%) improving their ability to pair wine with food (42%), navigating wine lists more comfortably (29%), and even appearing more intelligent (22%).

One in five (19%) would like to impress friends and family with their wine knowledge, so much so that more than half (52%) enjoy receiving advice on wines when shopping in stores. A significant 69 per cent love trying new wines.

“Brits love wine but want the confidence to talk about it more in social settings,” explains Oliver Hoey from Aussie wine brand CTZN. “We are giving wine lovers the tools they need to feel confident and informed with SOM, our AI-powered virtual sommelier, providing an engaging and interactive way to deepen their understanding of the wine in their glass.”

With so much confusion around the terminology, it’s no surprise that 40 per cent of respondents base their wine choices on brand, 37 per cent prioritise colour, and 16 per cent make the label design a key factor in their decision-making process.

CTZN’s AI wine sommelier, SOM, offers a unique wine-tasting experience that educates and transforms how we connect with wine. It’s the perfect tool for those looking to brush up on their wine knowledge and make more confident, informed wine choices.

Available to purchase exclusively at Sainsbury’s stores nationwide. To learn more about CTZN and try for yourself visit the Sainsbury’s website.

THE 20 MOST CONFUSING WINE TERMS

1. Terroirs – 60% – The combination of soil, climate and sunlight which give wine grapes their character.
2. Caudalie – 44% – The measurement of how long the taste of wine stays on the palate.
3. Oenology – 41% – The science of winemaking.
4. Maceration – 41% – The process of soaking wineskins in juice to extract colour and tannins.
5. Cuvee – 41% – A wine made of a blend of different varieties of grapes.
6. Methuselah – 40% – A wine bottle eight times the size of the standard bottle.
7. Balthazar – 36% – A wine bottle, sixteen times the size of a standard bottle.
8. Quaffable – 31% – A wine that’s easy and enjoyable to drink.
9. Viniculture – 29% -Growing grapes to make wine.
10. Canopy – 26% – The part of the vine which grows above ground.
11. Demi-sec – 24% – Medium sweet wine.
12. Mousse – 23% – The foam or froth that forms on the surface of a glass of sparkling wine.
13. Legs – 23% – The rivulets of wine that stream down a glass when you swirl the wine.
14. Herbaceous – 23% – Wine that has aromas and flavours similar to herbs, vegetables, or freshly cut grass.
15. Sommelier – 22% – Someone whose job is to serve and give advice about wine in a restaurant.
16. Crunchy – 20% – Describes a wine that is light in colour, high in acidity and low in alcohol.
17. Tannins – 19% – A compound found in the skin, seeds and stems of grapes, which give the wine a bitter taste.
18. Minerality – 15% – Wine with less fruit flavours, with higher acidity and lower sugar.
19. Hybrid – 14% – The result of crossing two different grape varieties.
20. Extraction – 12% – The process of transferring flavour, tannins and colour from grape skins into the wine.

This research of 2,000 Brits was commissioned by CTZN and conducted by Perspectus Global in November 2024.