| Racking |
| The gravity-siphoning or gentle pumping of the clear wine or juice off the lees for clarifying. Often used as a gentler alternative to filtration, and to aid in the wine's barrel development. |
| Reductive |
| Wine in an unevolved, unoxidised state is said to be 'reductive'; usually with a tight, sometimes unyielding character. Reductive methods (inert gas to cloak grape must is used, especially in white-wine making, to inhibit oxidation. |
| Remontage |
| The process of circulating the liquid in the fermentation tank during red wine fermentation. This aerates the wine, prevents drying on the top, (the cap), and encourages extraction of colour and tannins into the wine. |
| Rich |
| Flavourful, intense, generous. |
| Robust |
| Big and full bodied (but need not mean aggressive). |
| Rootstock |
| The root system of the grapevine to which a fruiting vine of any desired variety, such as merlot, cabernet sauvignon, etc., can be grafted. |
| Rough |
| An aggressive wine, not smooth. |
| Round |
| Well balanced, without rough edges. |
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