U

UC Davis - The University of California at Davis. One of the University’s 10 campuses, it is the alma mater of many prominent California wine makers. Its Department of Viticulture and Enology is prominent and influential in the world of wine. UC Davis has been instrumental in California wine making through research and academics and has guided many developments in California’s Central Coast.

Ugni Blanc (oo-n'yee blahn) - A French name for the Trebbiano grape. In France, this rather average grape (that is responsible for more wine than any other grape) is often used to make the base wine that will be distilled into brandy. Cognac and Armagnac are two well known brandy regions that use the grape.

ullage - In a container of wine, the air space, or head space, left by the evaporation of the wine. Common with wooden containers like barrels which have to be topped up to prevent oxidation.

Umbria - The central Italian region that is home to the well known white wine Orvieto.

Use (oo-zay) - A French wine tasting term for "worn out." A more common english term is "over the hill."

uva - The space in any wine storage container that develops as wine ages and evaporates.