We decided we would come up with 100 things people might want to know about the world of wine, giving each entry 20 words or less. Unfortunately, our editor told us we could only have 1,800 words of space. So here they are: 78 things that you might want to know, or at least some interesting little factlets, about wine.

Many of these are simply terms that you might hear in any polite conversation about wine; that's why we haven't included malolactic fermentation. We have included a few grape types, but not many. For instance, we have included Pinot Grigio but not Viognier. Personally, we far prefer Viognier, but Pinot Grigio has become the most popular imported wine in America and therefore has placed itself on the list. Finally, we have avoided almost all wine-tasting terms, which are a whole column in their own right. Ready? Here they are, in alphabetical order.

Acid. In the right proportion, gives many wines their balance and longevity. Wines without enough acids are often called 'flabby.'

Alsace. French region bordering Germany best-known for distinctive whites such as peppery Gewürztraminer.

Appellation. Where the grapes came from. Often, the more specific, the better.

Appellation Controlee. French system that sets rules for winemaking in geographic areas. A world standard.

Australia. After a decade-long surge, the second-biggest exporter of wines into the U.S. by volume after Italy.

Beaujolais. French region producing delightful red wine from Gamay grapes; one of the world's great wine bargains.

Bordeaux. French region best-known for classy reds made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Botrytis Cinerea. 'Noble rot' fungusresponsible for making some great dessert wines in Sauternes and elsewhere by shriveling grapes and concentrating juice.

Burgundy. French region best-known for reds made from Pinot Noir and whites made from Chardonnay.

Cabernet Sauvignon. Red-wine grape responsible for famous Bordeaux wines and many California 'cult wines.'

California. Produces 90% of wines made in the U.S. and 70% of wines drunk in the U.S. Most important regions: Napa, Sonoma.

Cava. Spanish sparkling wine.

Chablis. French region (part of Burgundy) making special, seafood-friendly wines from Chardonnay. Used in U.S. to mean 'cheap, generic white.'

Champagne. French region making the world's best sparkling wine from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay grapes.

Chardonnay. Great white grape of Burgundy. No. 1 'varietal' wine in America.

Chenin Blanc. Fine grape for dry and sweet wines. Sometimes used in U.S. to mean 'cheap white,' but sometimes a fine varietal.

Chile. Up-and-coming wine exporter best-known for value-priced Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Classification of 1855. Famous ranking of Bordeaux wine by 'growth' - based on quality, price and politics - that's still important today.

Corked. Wine that's tainted by a bad cork. Tends to smell like wet cardboard or a wet dog.

Cult Wines. Symbol of '90s bubble. Hard-to-find, excellent, very expensive and generally red California wines more often bought and sold than drunk.

Disgorge. Process in Champagne in which the sediment is popped out of the bottle before the final cork is inserted.

DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita). Italian symbol of highest quality, though it can be hit-or-miss.

Dom Perignon. Monk important in early Champagne-making, though he didn't really 'invent' Champagne. Also the name of a fine, expensive Champagne.

Duboeuf, Georges. French winemaker and brilliant marketer who did much to popularize Beaujolais Nouveau around the world.

Finish. The lingering taste a wine leaves after you swallow it.

First Growth. Chateaux Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, Haut-Brion and Mouton Rothschild.

Fortified. Wines with brandy or other spirits added, such as Port.

French Paradox. '60 Minutes' report on this (1991) hinted that red wine keeps French healthy. Led to surge in U.S. red-wine consumption.

Gaja, Angelo. Great winemaker and trend-setter in the Piedmont region of Italy.

Gallo, E.&J. World's biggest winemaker (until Constellation's pending takeover of Australia's Hardy). U.S. firm makes one of every four bottles sold domestically.

Gewurztraminer. Peppery white wine that's a specialty of the Alsace region of France.

Gout de Terroir. 'Taste of the earth,' the notion that grapes should pass on the natural aspects that are present in a place.

Ice Wine (Eiswein in Germany). Dessert wine made from frozen grapes. A specialty of Canada.

Labrusca (or Vitis Labrusca). Not Lambrusco, the inexpensive Italian red, but the kind of vine that produces native American grapes, such as Concord.

Loire. French region best-known for summery whites.