Primer G

Learn wine vocabulary thanks to this primer specially designed by the Bordeaux Wine School.

G

Gamey

Describes the bouquet of a wine when it expresses the aroma of big game meat.

Garage wine

Describes a very small wine production. This expression was coined in the early 1990s in Saint-Emilion, to describe Château Valandraud. Its 0.6 hectare parcel which was tended like a garden was instantly a big hit with wine critics. Produced without any major resources, in a makeshift setting (a garage), these wines have a connection with haute couture prototypes.

Generous

The character of a wine that is rich in alcohol but not spirity, in contrast to a heady wine. Often produced during warm and sunny vintages.

Gouleyant (easy drinking)

From the old French term "goule" which refers to the mouth and throat. A characteristic of a light, supple wine that is easy to drink and should be enjoyed while it produces fruity aromas. An easy drinking wine is also soft, pleasant and smooth.

Grafting

A method used during the phylloxera crisis which involves attaching a rootstock that is resistant to phylloxera to a local scion. The scion gives the wine its character. The rootstock is just a base.

Grape variety

A word that describes the variety of the Vitis vinifera vine that produces the grape. The wines of Bordeaux are distinguished by the blending of several different grape varieties, which improves their balance, harmony and aromatic complexity.

Green

Describes an excessively acidic wine. More acidic than 'nervy' and less than 'hard'.

Green harvesting

This process involves removing the leaves covering the bunches of grapes to improve the ripeness of the berries, and reduce the risk of certain diseases (unwanted rot). Whether it is performed by hand or by machine, this work has an impact on the quality of the finished product during the harvest.

Gum arabica

A stabiliser for coloring substances in red wines. This natural gum derives from acacia trees, and reduces the rasping sensation of astringency in red wine, leaving it with more roundness. Another benefit

Gunflint

An aroma found in a wine with a mineral character, reminiscent of warm flint, the smokiness of burnt powder, or the warmed flint stone used to sharpen tools.

Guyot

A vine stock pruning method that leaves a single horizontal branch (the spur), such as in Bordeaux. Each year, a long branch with 6 to 10 buds is conserved, and this will be fixed into place during pruning to ensure it remains horizontal.