Closed Having not yet reached full potential through aging; typically associated with young, big reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Bordeaux. May also be the result of a wine that is too cold.
Coarse Rude or harsh, leaving much to be desired in taste.
COLOMBARD A white-wine grape grown in California, France, and South Africa. Used to make simple fruity whites that range from dry to sweet. Also used for blending to provide acidity. In France, it is used to create a blend called Bordeaux Blanc, and for distilling into brandy.
Complete Satisfying and mature, with good mouth-feel and finish.
Complex Having multifaceted aroma and flavor; a hallmark of greatness.
CONCORD A native American hybrid red-wine grape grown primarily in the Eastern and Mid-Western United States and Canada. Used to produce sweet, foxy wines characteristic of the vitis labrusca varieties. Also used for grape-juice and jellies.
Cooked Having a stewed prune-like flavor; typically associated with very hot growing regions or overripe grapes.
Corky Having the odor of cork, due to a defective cork.
CORTESE A minor white-wine grape grown in the Piedmont region of Italy. Used to make whites such as Cortese di Gavi.
CORVINA A red-wine grape primarily grown in the Veneto region of northeast Italy. Used with two other grapes, Rondinella and Molinara, to create Bardolino and Valpolicella, light red blends characterized by a mild fruity flavor with hints of almond. Also known as Corvina Veronese.
COT See Malbec.
COURBU A minor red-wine grape grown in the Pyrenees region of France. Blended with wines from Bouchy, Pinenc and Tannat grapes to create a red known as Madiran.
COURNOISE A minor red-wine grape grown in the southern Rhone Valley of France. Used in red wine blends to add aroma and freshness.
CRIOLLA CHICA The Argentine name for the Pais grape grown in Chile, and the Mission grape grown in California and Mexico. The mutation known as Criolla Grande is used to make a mediocre white wine.
CRIOLLA GRANDE See Criolla Chica.
Crisp Having fresh, high acidity.
CROATINA A minor grape grown in the Piedmont region of Italy. Known as Bonarda when used to make Colli Piacentini and Oltrepo Pavese.
CROUCHEN Also known as Cruchen. See Cape Riesling.
CYNTHIANA See Norton.
D
DE CHAUNAC A French-American hybrid red-wine grape grown primarily in the cooler regions of the Northeast United States and Canada. Ripens early and used to produce a fruity, balanced, light red.
