wein.plus
Attention
You are using an old browser that may not function as expected.
For a better, safer browsing experience, please upgrade your browser.
Chrome
Firefox
Microsoft Edge
Safari
Opera

    • Welcome back!

      New to wein.plus? Become a Member
  • Become a Member


You can also use our powerful search function with many flexible filters, such as:

Log in Become a Member

Lexicon

The largest wine encyclopedia in the world with 26,663 Terms.

0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Wine diamonds

Synonym for tartar; see there.

Weinstein

Name for the crystalline mixture of sparingly soluble salts of tartaric acid, mainly potassium hydrogen tartrate (also potassium bitartrate) or, to a lesser extent, calcium tartrate, which is formed by combining tartaric acid with potassium or calcium. Prosaic names are wine diamonds or wine stars.

Occurrence

Tartrate is particularly common in wines made from overripe or late harvested grapes, 90% of which is potassium hydrogen tartrate. It precipitates in the form of small crystals, rods and leaves similar to glass splinters. This can already occur in the fermentation or ageing tank (raw wine stone), especially during cold treatment. The formation of crystals increases with increasing alcohol content, low temperature and rising pH value (from 3.2). Colour changes or calcium clouding may also occur.

Weinsteinkristalle auf Korken - Weißwein und Rotwein

Images: 1 = white tartrate crystals on the cork of a white wine bottle, 2 = red tartrate crystals on the cork of a red wine bottle, 3 and 4 = hardened tartrate deposits from a wooden barrel

Formation of tartar

Tartar is not easily soluble in water and therefore settles on the walls of tanks and barrels, on Flaschenbodenthe bottom of...
Full text
This page was last modified at 15 November, 2022 at 08:54.

Voices of our members

Dominik Trick

The wein.plus encyclopaedia is a comprehensive, well-researched reference work. Available anytime and anywhere, it has become an indispensable part of teaching, used by students and myself alike. Highly recommended!

Dominik Trick
Technischer Lehrer, staatl. geprüfter Sommelier, Hotelfachschule Heidelberg

The world's largest Lexicon of wine terms.

26,663 Keywords · 47,056 Synonyms · 5,314 Translations · 31,995 Pronunciations · 238,987 Cross-references
made with ♥ by our author Norbert F. J. Tischelmayer. About the Lexicon

EVENTS NEAR YOU

To Online-Events
09.02.26 - 11.02.26 Paris, France Wine Paris 2026 A not-to-be-missed event for sharing the soul of our terroir
12.11.25 40 Düsseldorf, Deutschland Wine & sparkling wine tasting / Oldie tram 12.11.25 The other wine tasting
25.11.25 - 29.11.25 Merkurstraße 38, 40223 Düsseldorf, Deutschland Wine wick Wine tasting all week long!
24.11.25 - 29.11.25 45 Essen, Deutschland WSET® Level 3 Award in Wines Master the art of wine with the WSET® Level 3 Award in Wines - a stepping stone to real expertise!
10.01.26 Casinogasse 1, 47829 Krefeld, Deutschland Wine tasting menu at the casino with David Freitag Wine & Dine | p.p. € 149.- incl. menu, wine accompaniment & water
24.01.26 Niederstraße 63-67 Parkplatz/Lieferung über, Seilbahn 14, 47829 Krefeld, Deutschland Wine tasting "Don Vino's favourites" Incl: Aperitif, 6 wines (0.1l), water, snacks, tarte flambée | Price: p.p. € 69.-
07.02.26 Niederstraße 63-67 Parkplatz/Lieferung über, Seilbahn 14, 47829 Krefeld, Deutschland Wine tasting "lots of delicious wine & cheese" Incl: Aperitif, 6 wines (0.1l!), water/bread, antipasti, various cheeses & pinsa | Price: p. p. € 75.-
03.03.26 Niederstraße 63-67 Parkplatz/Lieferung über, Seilbahn 14, 47829 Krefeld, Deutschland Wine tasting "à la de Cassan" Aperitif, 6 wines (0.1l), water, snacks, tarte flambée | p.p. € 69.-
14.03.26 Casinogasse 1, 47829 Krefeld, Deutschland Giro d'Italia" in-house exhibition - our winegrowers introduce themselves. Prowein Goes City - over 50 wines in tasting
14.11.25 - 16.11.25 53474 Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Deutschland Certified consultant for sustainable wines Everything about sustainable and organic viticulture with Kristine Bäder and Sonja Ostermayer as well as practical excursions.
PREMIUM PARTNERS