Definition: Sail

Term referring to a colloidal collection of fine particles suspended in wine. This haze or film is present in certain poorly filtered white wines or wines deliberately aged on lees (e.g. Muscadet, unfiltered white Neuchâtel). A haze does not alter the aroma or taste. A significant veil is characteristic of a cloudy, flaky wine. Often it is only a temporary cloudiness, caused by a sudden change in temperature when the wine is moved to another cellar.