Colloquial term for wines of mostly simple quality, which are often not bottled, but are filled from larger containers (barrels or tanks) into smaller vessels and from there into the glass. This is why the term cask wine is also commonly used for this. In Germany it is also called "Pokalwein" (cup wine), in Austria "Offener" (open). In Italy, the "Vino sciolto" is traditionally bottled in the damigiana (balloon bottle). In French there are the terms "en vrac" (bulk or loose), "au verre" (by the glass) or "au pichet" (in a jug); and in English "bulk wine". However, in many restaurants it has become common practice to serve the best quality wines from Bouteille by the glass (i.e. open). An open wine no longer necessarily means a simple wine. See also under bar wine.
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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