When it comes to viticulture and the enjoyment of wine, there has always been – and still is – a wealth of old customs, many of which are of purely regional significance. However, many old trades have died out or are no longer necessary due to new technologies. Some old customs, however, are still practised today. The current trades and roles in viticulture, as well as the relevant institutions and training centres, are listed under ‘Viticulture Training ’. 

Image on the left: ‘ The Winegrowers’ at the wine press, by the painter Carl Gustav Amling (c. 1651–1702). Centre image: ‘Weingartmann’ by Hans Lederer (1425). Image on the right: Saltner (a vineyard guard responsible for keeping out birds and thieves).

Amper to Buttenstecken

• Amper – a vessel for filling wine barrels
• Astrology – influence of celestial constellations
• Bacchanalia (Bacchus, the god of wine) – ancient festivals in Rome
• Farmers’ proverbs (farmers’ almanac, lucky days) – weather forecasts
• Beil – bung
• Binger pencil – a term used in Rheinhessen for a corkscrew
• Bontemps – ladle
• Drinking in the brotherhood – the ‘Du’ word with wine/alcohol
• Buschenschank (Besenwirtschaft, Straußwirtschaft) – wine tavern
• Buttenstecken (Buttenstock) – a counting stick used during the grape harvest

Cellera to Fürtuch

• Cellerar – person in charge of the monastery’s provisions
• Champagne tower – a record of 33,081 glasses
• Dampfröhre and Dampfpfeife – ventilation shaft in a wine cellar
• Dionysia (Bacchanalia) – ancient festivals in Greece
• Ice Saints – Mamertus (11 May), Pankratius (12 May), Servatius (13 May), Bonifatius (14 May)
• Esoteric practices in winemaking – special methods
• Eucharist (Thanksgiving) – Christian Communion during Holy Mass
• Barrel sliding – sliding down a giant barrel
• Barrel bolt – a fastening for barrels
• Bottle necks – see under ‘sabrage’
• Formula 1 champagne – victory celebrations following Formula 1 races
• Friedweinberg – a special form of burial
• Morning drinks (brunch) – a drink in the morning
• Transport cask (Fuhrfassl) – a cask for transporting wine
• Fürtuch (Fürta, Firta) – winegrower’s apron

Gait bis Imbs

• Gait – see under Schoßkoa
• Fermentation grid – device for allowing fermentation gases to escape
• Gebirgsaufschießen – start of the grape harvest
• Grea (Grün) – Thanksgiving festival
• St Hans’ Day (also St John’s Day) – Blessing of the wine on 27 December
• Herbstmuck – a woman with the last bunch of grapes during the grape harvest – sliding down a giant barrel
• Herbstschmüerel – festival marking the end of the...