Rancio
A flavour term often used for aged spirits such as cognac and sometimes for old wines. It refers to complex, nutty and often earthy flavours that result from long ageing.
Rare
A term used to describe the rarity or special quality of a spirits product. Often used for limited editions or particularly old bottlings.
Raw spirit
The first distillation in the production of spirits, in which the raw, unripe alcohol is extracted before it is further purified and aged.
Red wine
Wine made from red grapes that is fermented with the skins, giving it its characteristic red colour.
Reduction
A process in spirits and wine production in which the addition of oxygen is prevented in order to preserve fresh and fruity flavours.
Reinheitsgebot
A German beer regulation dating back to 1516, which stipulates that beer may only be made from water, hops and malt. Originally, yeast was not mentioned as it was not yet known as an ingredient.
Rémy Martin
A well-known French cognac brand known for its high-quality cognacs, which come exclusively from the Grande and Petite Champagne regions.
Reserve
A term often used on the labelling of wines and spirits to indicate a higher quality or longer ageing period.
Residual sugar
The amount of sugar that remains in the wine after fermentation. It influences the sweetness of the wine.
Rhum Agricole
A style of rum that is not distilled from molasses but directly from freshly pressed sugar cane juice. It is particularly popular in French overseas territories such as Martinique.
Riesling
A white grape variety that is particularly well known in Germany and produces wines ranging from very dry to very sweet.
Rioja
Famous wine-growing region in Spain, known for its red wines, which are mainly made from the Tempranillo grape variety.
Rosé
Wine that is made from red grapes but is only briefly fermented with the skins, giving it a pink colour.
Round flavour
Describes a well-balanced flavour profile of spirits in which no single component is too dominant.
Rüdesheimer Kaffee
A popular German drink consisting of coffee and Asbach Uralt, a German brandy, topped with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles.
Rum
Rum is a versatile spirit made from fermented sugar cane juice or molasses. The origins of rum can be traced back to the Caribbean and Latin America, where the warm climatic conditions favor the cultivation of sugar cane. The variety of flavor profiles of rum ranges from light and sweet to dark and intense, which is due to the different production methods, maturation times and additives. Light rum is often used in cocktails, while dark rum is enjoyed neat or used in recipes for deeper flavors. Well-known rum varieties are white rum, gold rum and aged rum.
Rye Beer
Beer in which rye is used as an essential component of the malt, giving it a typical flavour and sometimes a slightly sour note.
Rye whiskey
American whiskey made from at least 51% rye in the mash, known for its spicy, fruity flavour.