VA lift

VA lift meaning in wine

VA lift is wine shorthand for the aromatic lift created by a small, controlled amount of volatile acidity, mainly acetic acid and ethyl acetate. At low levels it can make fruit seem brighter or more expressive, especially in young, fruit-forward wines. At higher levels it becomes a fault, showing vinegar, nail-polish remover, or harsh solvent-like aromas. Use the term only in a wine context; it should not imply that high volatile acidity is desirable.