Primer E

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

E

Elephant hawk moth

This large moth (65 mm) is a lepidoptera insect from the Sphingidae family. Its polyphagic caterpillars, which appear from July to September, attack vine leaves.

Empyreumatic

A term used to describe a family of aromas that recall burnt, cooked or smoked notes (from the Greek pyros, meaning fire).

Encepagement

A French term used to describe the relative proportions of different grape varieties at a wine estate. In Bordeaux, encepagement is related to the different parcels of land depending on the soil, micro-climates and sun exposure. It also varies depending on the style of wine required.

Épamprage

A French term for the removal of the buds or branches from the base of the vine stock or unwanted shoots from the ground.

Esters

What is produced when alcohol and acid are combined. Can bring about complex and delicate aromas during the maturation and ageing processes.