Wine Glossary C-D
The provision by a merchant or specialist company of long-term storage for fine wines as they mature. To ensure the wine's correct evolution whilst cellared, the environment has to meet rigorous requirements for temperature, humidity, light ingress and stability in addition to security. A per case, per period charge is usually made covering rent, handling and insurance.
Champagne
Sparkling wine from the delineated vineyard region of the same name north east of Paris. Production is highly specialised, the 'champagne method' requiring amongst other stipulations a double fermentation, the second of which occurs in the bottle in which the wine is to be sold. This method (though by law not the term) is much copied around the world in an attempt to emulate the particular qualities of champagne. For further detail please see our comprehensive section on the Champage Region.
Chopine
Small bottle size 25cl. Please see our bottle size guide for further info.
Claret
A traditional name for red bordeaux, still widely used in Britain. Dervied from clairet, the light red wine imported from the region in the 17th Century.
Wines ranked in a classification of quality. The term is most associated with the top wines of Bordeaux where a number of classifications are currently employed, some historic (such as the 1855 Classification) and others formalised in law (Graves, Saint-Emilion). The French term is Cru Classé. For further detail, please see our comprehensive guide to Bordeaux classification.
Classico
An Italian term used in some wine regions to indicate the heartland of the denomination where the best quality is found, hence Chianti Classico, Valpolicella Classico, Soave Classico, etc.
Uncommon bottle size, but refers to a 62cl bottle, typical of Vin Jaune from the Jura. Appointed by law and regulations, this is the amount of wine left from one litre of wine after 6 years 3 months maturation in cask. Please see our bottle size guide for more on bottle sizes, or the bottle shape guide for an image of this unique bottle.
Crémant
A term used in Champagne to define wines with less pressure than the norm, 5 bars instead of 6, offering a marginally less aggressive mousse. Also used to denote certain defined sparkling wines of other French regions, eg Burgundy and Alsace.
Cru Classé
See Classed Growths.
Cult wines
Wines produced in very small quantities which attract disproportionate buyer interest - and a hefty premium for the resultant scarcity - usually on account of glowing reviews by influential critics. The term originated in California but can be applied to limited edition wines from other places.
Cuvée
An elective blend made from available wines in tank or barrel. A producer may offer a number of different cuvées indicative of different quality levels (eg, special cuvée, normal cuvée) or of different styles. The concept originated in Champagne, where blending from a wide range of different base wines is intrinsic to production. It is also an important feature in Bordeaux where different varieties are grown within a single estate. Decisions over blending proportions (see Assemblage) are made every year leading to a number of cuvées, typically the Grand Vin (qv) and Second Wine (qv).
Decanting
The process of pouring wine from the bottle into a decanter before serving, to remove unwanted sediments and to allow the wine to breathe. Please see our guide to decanting for more information.
Deluxe champagne
A very high quality Champagne, vintage or non-vintage, in the luxury price category. Usually a limited production blend.
Demi
Small bottle size 50cl that is more commonly refered to as a 'Half'. Please see our bottle size guide for further info.
Demi-sec
French term for Medium Dry. Please see our sweetness guide for more detail.
Dolce
Italian term for sweet. Please see our sweetness guide for more detail.
Domaine
A (French) term for a wine estate
Doux
French term for sweet. Please see our sweetness guide for more detail.
Dulce
Spanish term for sweet. Please see our sweetness guide for more detail.
A levy imposed on alcoholic beverages by HM Revenue & Customs whether imported or nationally produced. The duty on wine is based on volume rather than strength for wines up to 15% alcohol by volume and for sparkling wines and fortifieds. See our guide to buying En Primeur and In Bond.