Bacchus [BAK-uhs]
1. A white-wine grape that is a very successful cross of Müller-Thurgau and a sylvaner-riesling hybrid. Bacchus generally produces wines with good body, character, and aroma but low acidity. The best ones show muscatlike attributes. Most Bacchus wines are blended with Müller-Thurgau and go into lower-quality Liebfraumilch. 2. The Roman god of wine in classical mythology, Bacchus is often confused with Dionysus, the Greek god of wine before the age of Rome.
The New Wine Lovers Companion, 2nd Edition, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Copyright © (1) 2003, 1995 by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.