A lay person could be forgiven for thinking a group of vintners and enophiles talking shop were speaking another language. In many ways, they are—the American winespeak vernacular draws on words rooted in many foreign tongues, but predominantly French. But some of our idiomatic terms are occasionally adopted by the general populace.
"Vintage" might be the most prominent example. Collectibles of every ilk are now referred to by aficionados as "vintage," from cars to clothes. Sportscasters regularly call a veteran ballplayer's banner day a "vintage performance."
Thanks to a bubbling battle of Paris cola drinkers and the Wall Street Journal, terroir could be the unlikely next wine term to make the leap into the mainstream.
