D

DÉGORGEMENT (FRENCH)

This is part of the process of making sparkling wine. At this stage, the bottle is opened after the neck has been frozen. A plug of frozen wine pops out, containing the dead yeast from the second fermentation. The wine is then topped up—dosage—and resealed.

DEMI-SEC (FRENCH)

Medium dry.

DENOMICAÇÃO DE ORIGEM CONTROLADA (PORTUGUESE)

A parameter of high quality for Portuguese wine, often abbreviated to DOC. Equivalent of the French appellation contrôlée.

DENOMINACIÓN DE ORIGEN (SPANISH)

A parameter of high quality for Spanish wine, often abbreviated to DO. Equivalent of the French appellation contrôlée.

DENOMINACIÓN DE CALIFICADA (SPAINISH)

A parameter of high quality for Spanish wine, often abbreviated to DOC. It is similar to Italy’s DOCG.​

DENOMINAZIONE DE ORIGINE CONTROLLATA (ITALIAN)

A parameter of high quality for Italian wine, also abbreviated to DOC. Equivalent of the French appellation contrôlée.

DENOMINAZIONE DI ORIGINE CONTROLLATA E GARANTITA (ITALIAN)

A parameter of high quality for Italian wine, often abbreviated to DOCG. Only a handful of wines have been promoted to this level. They include Chianti, Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Carmignano.

DESSERT WINE 

A Sherry or other fortified wine.  Sweet wine is customarily drunk with or in place of dessert, usually in small amounts or single portions.​

DESTEMMING 

The process of removing the stems/stalks from grape bunches before fermentation. Unripe stems will result in a green, unripe taste in the wine.

DOLCE (ITALY)

Sweet

DOMAINE (FRENCH)

A wine estate​

DOUBLE MAGNUM

A large-format Bordeaux bottle is equivalent to four standard bottles. In Burgundy and Champagne, this size is called a Jeroboam.​

DOUX (FRENCH)

Sweet

DRY

It's a tasting term. Essentially, this is the opposite of sweet, although a wine that tastes dry still contains sugar, perhaps just a few grams per liter. The term ‘dry’ can also describe the tannins or mouthfeel when it refers to the dry, puckering sensation the wine imparts.​

DULCE (SPANISH)

Sweet