Definition: Rancio

Derived from the Latin word rancidus, meaning "due to ageing", rancio refers to a characteristic aroma found in aged wines, or to these wines themselves. Rancio is present in tawny ports, but also in many spirits, such as cognacs. It is a distinctive flavour acquired through the deliberate oxidation of certain natural sweet wines during maturation under specific conditions. In Banyuls, for example, the barrels are stored outdoors in places exposed to the sun and the cool of the night. This alternation causes rancio.

The aged wine itself.