Explanatation of The Basic Terms on French Wine Labels

AC
Appellation Contrôlée

AOC
Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée

Barrique
225 litre oak cask

Blanc de blanc
White wine from white grapes

Blanc de Noirs
White wine from black grapes

Brut
Dry (usually for sparking wines)

Cave
Cellar

Cave coopératif
Cooperative cellar

Cépage
Grape variety

Château
Property usually making/bottling its own wine

Clos
Walled vineyard

Commune
Village

Côte
Slope of a hill

Crémant
Sparkling

Cru
Growth from a specific vineyard

Cru Bourgeois
Classification used for Médoc properties

Cru Classé
Classed growth

Cuve
Wine vat or tank

Cuve Close
Bulk method for sparkling wine making

Cuvée
Blend

Demi-Sec
Semi-dry

Domaine
Property usually making/bottling its own wine

Doux
Sweet

Élevage
Maturation & pre bottling treatment

Foudre
Large wooden vat

Fût
Small oak cask

Grand Vin
Château's main wine

Grand Cru
Great growth highest vineyard classification

Grand Cru Classé
Classed great growth

Grande marque
Champagne house

Marque
Brand

Méthode champenoise
Champagne method of making sparkling wine

Mis en bouteille
Bottled

Moelleux
Fairly sweet

Monopole
Exclusive brand name

Négociant
Merchant

Pétillant/Pétillance
A light sparkle

Premier Cru
First growth, 2nd highest vineyard classification

Récolte
Harvest or vintage

Réserve
A superior wine

Sec
Dry

Sous marque
Secondary brand

Tete de Cuvée
Wine from first pressing

Vendange
Harvest or vintage

Vigneron
Vine grower

Vin de Pays
Country wine

Vin de Table
Table wine