Ucles is a DO wine region within the Castilla-La Mancha territory in north central Spain, east of Madrid. This is a continental climate, with good amounts of rainfall, compared to other local areas. Vineyards are sited from 1500 to more than 3000 feet above sea level.

Tempranillo, known locally as Cencibel, is the leading variety here; many vineyards are grown in the alberello (bush vine) style. Other red grapes include Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Only red wines made from vines that are at least six years old may have the designation “DO Ucles” on the label. Pair these wines with a range of foods, from beef tapas to grilled meats and wild game.

White wines are produced from Verdejo, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Moscatel. Pair these wines with shellfish. (Wine/Appellations)

The Uco Valley is a new and distinct sub region of Mendoza that sprung to acclaim in the last decade on the back of the research and subsequent enthusiasm of superstar French winemaker Michel Rolland. The region lies a couple hours southwest of the city of Mendoza and is as close as one can get to the Andes Mountains while still ripening grapes.

Vineyards are as high as 3,600 feet in elevation and the climate as a whole is significantly chillier than the historic heart of Mendoza. The wines, as such, tend to be high-strung and perfumed with excellent acidity. The region produces distinctive Malbecs and may well come to be recognized as Argentina's finest source of Chardonnay.

Several famous producers from Bordeaux such as Lurton and Rothschild have settled in the area and top-shelf producers are lining up to source Uco grapes. Recently built, state of the art showpiece wineries are cropping up, lending this region a bit of Napa Valley flair.

While the remoteness of the region may throw a kink in the works, the obvious goal of many is to pursue wine tourism in addition to world class grapes. If nothing else, the spectacular moon-scape scenery and the proximity to the majestic, snow-capped Andes is worth the trip if you find yourself in Mendoza. (Wine/Appellations)

Ugarteche is a small subregion of Mendoza within Lujan de Cuyo. Now known for Malbec and Carbernet Sauvignon, the district was historically planted with grapes for juice varieties and mass produced wines. At 3000 feet above sea leval, diurnal temperature variation extends the ripening period, balancing sugar and acidity. (Wine/Appellations)

Ugni Blanc is the French name for Trebbiano Toscano. It is the most widely planted grape in France and is one of the primary grapes used in Cognac production. Its vigorous vines produce high volumes of thin, high acid wines that are uniquely suited to brandy production but create a rather bland table wine. (Wine/Grapes)

Uilage is the empty space above the liquid in a wine bottle (or wine barrel or tank) usually after long storage. Ullage is used as an indicator of how well a cork seals its bottle. It is highly unusual for a wine bottle to retain its fill point without ullage after long storage since all corks tend to allow seepage to greater or lesser extent. In a very old wine, little or no ullage usually indicates that the wine has been stored under optimum conditions. Very large ullage in a bottle of table wine is a sure sign that the wine has been spoiled. (Wine/Service)

Umami is a tasting term that describes the taste of glutamate. It is one of the five basic tastes (along with sweet, sour, bitter, and salty). Foods with an umami flavor (and high glutamate content) include soy sauce, mushrooms, cured meats, and cheese. (Beer,Sake,Wine,Spirits,Mead/Tasting Terms)

The Umpqua Valley AVA sits between the Coast Range to the west and the Cascade Range to the east, with the Willamette Valley AVA to the north and the Rogue Valley AVA to the south. Named for the legendary fishing river that runs nearby, the appellation stretches 65 miles from north to south, and is 25 miles from east to west.

The Umpqua Valley’s winegrowing history dates back to the 1880s when German immigrants who had worked for the Beringer Bros., the oldest continuously operating vineyard in Napa, planted the first wine grape vineyard in the Valley. Post-Prohibition, Richard Sommer established Hillcrest Vineyards near Roseburg in 1961. He was the first to plant Pinot noir in Oregon despite being told by his UC Davis cohorts that it was impossible to successfully grow wine grapes in Oregon. Obviously, they were wrong.

Just eight years later, in 1969, Paul Bjelland of Bjelland Vineyards founded the Oregon Winegrowers Association in the Umpqua Valley. During the 1970s, new wineries opened, including Henry Estate Winery, whose winemaker Scott Henry developed a now world-famous trellis system, which increases grape yield, among other benefits. The Umpqua Valley appellation continues to evolve as new winemakers discover the area, bringing with them a passion for innovation and world-class wine. The Umpqua Valley appellation became official in 1984.

One of Oregon’s more diverse climates, the Umpqua Valley can successfully grow both cool and warm varieties. It’s comprised of three distinct climatic sub-zones: 1) The northern area around the town of Elkton enjoys a cool, marine-influenced climate. It receives around 50 inches of annual rainfall, making irrigation unnecessary. Pinot noir and other cool-climate varieties thrive here. 2) The central area to the northwest of Roseburg has a transitional, or intermediate, climate where both cool and warm varieties do quite well. 3) The area south of Roseburg is warmer and more arid, similar to Rogue and Applegate Valleys to the south, making irrigation necessary. Warm-climate varieties, including Tempranillo, Syrah and Merlot thrive here.

Umpqua Valley soils are as varied as the climate. Generally, they are derived from a mix of metamorphic, sedimentary and volcanic rock, though more than 150 soil types have been identified in the region. The valley floor levels have mostly deep alluvial or heavy clay materials, while the hillsides and bench locations have mixed alluvial, silt or clay structures-all typically excellent for winegrowing.

The complex topography of the Umpqua Valley is a result of the collision of three mountain ranges of varying age and structure: the Klamath Mountains, the Coast Range and the Cascades. Many say the area should not be thought of as a single valley but, rather, more accurately “The Hundred Valleys of the Umpqua” because it is made up of a series of interconnecting small mountain ranges and valleys. (Wine/Appellations)

Up is a cocktail service term used to describe a cocktail or spirit that has been chilled, diluted, and served in a cocktail glass without ice. (Spirits/Service)

The Utiel Requena DO of Spain is named for the two eponymous towns that are the heart of this zone. Winemaking here, near the town of Valencia, not far from the Mediterranean Coast, has been in existence since Roman times, and today there are 100,000 acres of vines, planted at elevations between 2000 and 3000 feet above sea level. The growing season is very hot, although at these elevations, temperatures drop dramatically at night.

The key grape here is Bobal, a red variety that proved resistant to phylloxera in the late 1800s. Bobal has a high degree of polyphenols, giving the wines deep violet color and full tannins. Bobal once accounted for 100% of the plantings, but today, those numbers have dwindled to 80%. Rosés are also made from Bobal, while the leading white variety is Tardana, which yields an aromatic wine with delicate tropical fruit flavors. (Wine/Appellations)