NEGRETTE A minor red-wine grape grown in an area southeast of Bordeaux, France. Blended with Gamay Noir, Syrah and Duras to produce local reds and rosés. Possibly identical to the Pinot St. George grape of California.
NEUBERGER A minor white-wine grape grown in Austria, particularly in the Burgenland region. Used in white blends such as Gumpoldkirchen.
NIAGARA A native American white wine hybrid grape grown primarily in the eastern and midwestern regions of the United States. Used to create popular foxy whites, usually with a sweet finish, but also sometimes dry.
Noble A term used to describe certain grape varieties that are associated with fine wines, most notably Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Riesling. Syrah, Nebbiolo and Sangiovese are sometimes also included.
NORTON An American hybrid red-wine grape grown primarily in the warmer regions of the southeast United States. Used to produce a light, spicy red. Identical to the Cynthiana grape.
Nose A wine`s aroma; a "good nose" is desirable, while an "off-nose," meaning the aroma is defective or offensive, is not.
Nutty Nutlike aromas typical of sherries and mature white wines.
O
Oaky Having the aroma and flavor of oak, resulting from aging in oak casks or barrels. Oak-like qualities may impart smokiness, vanilla tones, or clove or other spicy characteristics. Some oakiness is desirable, but too much is not.
Off-aromas Aromas that are defective for a particular type of wine. Also called "off-nose".
Off-dry Not quite dry, yet not quite sweet.
Off-flavors Flavors that are defective for a particular type of wine.
Open Revealing full character. See also Developed.
OPTIMA A recent crossing of Riesling and Sylvaner grapes with the Muller-Thurgau widely grown in the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region of Germany. Used for blending to produce local whites.
ORTEGA A crossing of Muller-Thurgau and Siegerrebe varieties. Used for white wine blending in the Rheinhessen region of Germany. Produces flavorful wines that have earned the Pradikat rating in good vintages.
Oxidized Spoiled as the result of overexposure to air, resulting in a flat, stale, or sherry-like flavor and aroma.
P
PAIS See Mission and Criolla Chica.
PERLAN A Swiss name for the Chasselas grape.
Petillant Having a light sparkle.
PETIT VERDOT A red-wine grape grown in limited acreages in the St-Emilion subdistrict of the Bordeaux region of France. Used for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and other wines.
PETITE SIRAH A red-wine grape widely grown in California. Used to produce a dark red, tannic base for Central Valley jug wines, and in the northern regions to produce a popular robust red. Erroneously thought a clone of the French Durif grape.
