Reference

Personal Wine Ratings

1. Outstanding - one of the best wines you've ever tasted
2. Excellent - very much enjoy drinking
3. Very Good - would enjoy drinking and would suggest it
4. Good - usually would enjoy drinking
5. OK - would drink if in the mood
6. Mediocre - take it or leave it
7. Not so Good - didn't really like or not my style
8. Bad - likely wouldn't drink again
9. Very Bad - would not drink if offered
10. Awful - wouldn't even smell again

Current Wine Value Key (per 750ml)

Annual Climate Types

• Continental - Has a large annual difference (diurnal range) between the hottest and coldest months (i.e. high continentality) with short summers and a large, rapid temperature drop in autumn.
• Mediterranean - Has a lower annual difference (diurnal range) between the hottest and coldest months (i.e. low continentality), but summers tend to be warm and dry.
• Maritime - Has a lower annual difference (diurnal range) between the hottest and coldest months (i.e. low continentality). Rainfall tends to be spread evenly throughout the year, moderating the temperature into autumn. Typically influenced by a nearby oceanic body of water.

Diurnal Climate Types

• Cool - Average growing season temperature: Below 62°F
• Moderate - Average growing season temperature: 62°F - 65°F
• Warm - Average growing season temperature: 66°F - 70°F
• Hot - Average growing season temperature: Above 70°F

Aroma Levels

1. Primary - Aromas and flavors provided by the fruit itself
2. Secondary - Aromas and flavors provided by oak barrel maturation
3. Tertiary - Aromas and flavors developed as the wine ages

Aroma Strengths

1. Pronounced - The aroma is strong and very obvious to the nose
2. Subtle - The aroma is there, but subtle and not as pronounced
3. Trace - The aroma is barely there, but it can be detected
4. Tasted - The aroma wasn't detected, but the flavor is there
5. None - There is neither an aroma nor the flavor

Alcohol Levels

1. Low - You can only feel the alcohol in your mouth.
   Normal: below 11%
   Fortified: 15%-16.4%
2. Medium - You can feel the alcohol in the back of your palette.
   Normal: 11%-13.9%
   Fortified: 16.5%-18.4%
3. High - You can feel the warmth of the alcohol down your throat.
   Normal: 14+%
   Fortified: 18.5+%

Sweetness in Sparkling Wines

1. Brut Nature / Bruto Natural / Naturherb / Zéro Dosage - Bone Dry (0-3 g/L)
2. Extra Brut / Extra Bruto / Hextra Herb - Very Dry (0-6 g/L)
3. Brut / Bruto / Herb - Dry (0-12 g/L)
4. Extra-Sec / Extra-Dry / Extra Trocken - Medium Dry (12-17 g/L)
5. Sec / Secco / Seco / Dry / Trocken - Medium Sweet (17-32 g/L)
6. Demi-Sec / Semi-Seco / Medium Dry / Abboccato / Halbrocken - Sweet (32-50 g/L)
7. Doux / Dulce / Sweet / Mild - Very Sweet (50+ g/L)