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HALF-BOTTLE
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A bottle with half the capacity of standard 750ml, or 375ml. Holds approximately 3 glasses of wine.
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HARD
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Tasting term for a wine with excessive amounts of tannins or acids making it unpleasant to drink.
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HARMONIOUS
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Tasting term for a wine with a seamless structure which incorporates all the necessary elements of character and flavor in perfect balance.
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HARSH
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Tasting term for an overly alcoholic or tannic wine.
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HARVEST
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The period or act of removing grapes from the vine in order to begin pressing and fermentation.
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HAZY
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Term used to denote the lack of perfect clarity in a wine.
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HEADY
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Tasting term for wines high in alcohol.
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HEARTY
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Tasting term used for wines with full, fleshy body and intense flavors.
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HECTARE
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The land measurement used in most of the world. One hectare is 10,000 square meters, which translates into 2.47 acres.This is how the size of a vineyard is determined.
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HECTOLITER
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A quantity of liquid equivalent to 100 liters or 26.4 gallons. In most of Europe, yield is measured in hectoliters per hectare vs. tons per acre in the U.S.
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HERBACEOUS
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Tasting term similar to grassy, used to describe wines with an herbal or vegetal smell like freshly cut grass.
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HERBICIDES
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The chemicals used to protect vines and grapes from the growth of damaging or invasive weeds.
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HOLLOW
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Tasting term for a wine lacking in any discernable flavor, texture or character.
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HORIZONTAL TASTING
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A wine tasting of many different wines from the same vintage, either of one winery or various producers from a given region. As opposed to a Vertical which denotes a tasting of the same winery's wine from many different vintages.
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HOT
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Tasting term for wines which feel hot in the mouth, throat or stomach due to a high degree of alcohol.
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HOUSE STYLE
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Term commonly used for non-vintage alcoholic beverages such as Champagne and Cognac describing the structure, aroma and flavor profiles unique to a specific estate or company. In order to remain unique and provide consistency from year to year, some wine from prior years will be blended with the new vintage.
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HYBRID
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In viticulture, the propagation of a new, single variety from two different varieties. This can occur naturally from cross-pollination in the wild or be a result of a deliberate human intervention.
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HYDROMETER
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The instrument used to measure the sugar level in grapes to determine harvest date. It is measured in Brix, Oechsle or Baume.
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