oenology or enology, the knowledge or study of wine, derived from the Greek oinos meaning ‘wine’. The French and Italian terms are, respectively, oenologie and enologia.
Oenology has been used as a synonym for winemaking, as distinct from viticulture, which is concerned with vines. There is a general tendency towards including the study of viticulture as well as wine production in the term, however, as more people accept that wine is made to a great extent in the vineyard. See also oenologist.
