straw wine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Specialist / Formal
Quick answer
What does “straw wine” mean?
A sweet dessert wine made from grapes that have been partially dried on straw or racks, concentrating their sugars before fermentation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sweet dessert wine made from grapes that have been partially dried on straw or racks, concentrating their sugars before fermentation.
Refers to both the specific production method (passerillage) and the rich, concentrated style of wine it produces. The term is sometimes used generically for wines made from dried grapes, akin to Vin de Paille or Passito.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is a technical one from oenology.
Connotations
Connotes luxury, tradition, and artisanal production in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, confined to wine enthusiasts, sommeliers, and related literature.
Grammar
How to Use “straw wine” in a Sentence
[The winery] produces [straw wine] from [Airén grapes].[This straw wine] pairs well with [blue cheese].[They] make [it] by [drying grapes on straw].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “straw wine” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The small vineyard in Sussex aims to straw-wine a portion of its Ortega harvest this year.
American English
- They decided to straw-wine the late-harvest Zinfandel for a special dessert bottling.
adjective
British English
- The straw-wine production method is labour-intensive but yields remarkable results.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in wine industry marketing and export descriptions.
Academic
Found in oenology and viticulture textbooks and journals.
Everyday
Rare in everyday conversation; might be used in a high-end restaurant or wine tasting context.
Technical
Precise term for a specific winemaking process and product category.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “straw wine”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “straw wine”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “straw wine”
- Using 'straw wine' to refer to any sweet wine (e.g., Sauternes, Icewine).
- Pronouncing 'straw' as /straʊ/ (like 'cow') instead of /strɔː/.
- Confusing it with wine that has a 'straw' or pale yellow colour.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Historically, yes, but modern production often uses racks, bamboo mats, or well-ventilated rooms. The term 'straw wine' persists for the style.
Both are sweet dessert wines, but Icewine is made from grapes frozen naturally on the vine, while straw wine is made from grapes dried after harvest.
Serve slightly chilled (10-12°C / 50-54°F) in a smaller wine glass. It pairs excellently with strong cheeses, fruit-based desserts, or foie gras.
Yes, 'Vin de Paille' is the French term for straw wine, originating from the Jura region. It is a protected appellation for this style.
A sweet dessert wine made from grapes that have been partially dried on straw or racks, concentrating their sugars before fermentation.
Straw wine is usually specialist / formal in register.
Straw wine: in British English it is pronounced /strɔː ˈwaɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /strɔː ˈwaɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated; it is a technical term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a STRAW mat with plump GRAPES drying in the sun, their sweetness concentrated before being pressed into WINE.
Conceptual Metaphor
WINE IS CONCENTRATED SUNSHINE (the drying process intensifies the sun's captured energy in the grape).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of straw wine?