Colloquial but imprecise term for a wine of outstanding quality. It has no meaning in wine law and there are also no generally valid criteria regarding origin, wine type or vinification. A common feature is that such wines were especially initially produced contrary to existing regulations (grape varieties, winemaking methods, etc.) and were therefore declassified (e.g. country wine). They are often produced in only small quantities using elaborate methods and are very expensive. A term with a similar meaning...
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The glossary is a monumental achievement and one of the most important contributions to wine knowledge. Of all the encyclopaedias I use on the subject of wine, it is by far the most important. That was the case ten years ago and it hasn't changed since.
Andreas Essl
Autor, Modena