Wine Word of the Week: Aperitifs



By Kori ~ November 7th, 2009.

Wine Word of the WeekThis week’s Wine Word of the Week is aperitifs.

Official definition from Jancis Robinson’s The Oxford Companion to Wine:
Aperitifs are drinks served before a meal to ‘open’ (from the Latin aperire) the digestive system and stimulate the appetite, of which vermouth and similar drinks are archetypal. Wines commonly served as aperitifs are dry, white, and not too alcoholic: Champagne or any brut sparkling wine; fino and manzanilla sherry; Mosel wines up to Spatlese level of sweetness; less rich Alsace whites; Muscadet, Chablis, and virtually any light, dry, still white wine without too much oak or alcohol.

Layman’s terms from Kori:
Aperitifs are drinks served before meals to jumpstart your appetite and cleanse your palate. Champagne or sparkling wine is typically the Wine Peeps’ aperitif of choice. In fact, we generally serve a glass of sparkling wine as the guests arrive at our monthly wine tasting dinners.


Filed under: Wine Word of the Week

Reader's Comments

  1. Susan Nielsen | November 8th, 2009 at 8:01 am

    We will be having guests over in a few weeks for appetizers and beverages prior to a major event. We will serve an aperitif of sparkling wine. Great idea and thanks for the definition!

  2. Kori | November 11th, 2009 at 2:51 pm

    Susan,
    Glad you found the definition and idea helpful. I think your guests will love it! Have a wonderful party. Cheers!