An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Lauer

by Friedrich Kluge

Lauer, masculine, ‘tart wine.’ “It is derived from Latin lôra, which denotes the tart wine that is made from the skins and stones of grapes by pouring water on them” (Lessing). Even in Old High German lûra, Middle High German lûre, feminine (Old High German lûrra, Middle High German liure, from the primary form *lôrea, appears in the equivalent Suabian leier; to this Swiss glöri from Old High German glûrra is allied?). As to the period of the introduction of Italian vine-culture into Germany, compare Wein, Winzer, Keller, Kelch, and Most. Latin lôrea is also indicated by Italian loja, ‘dirt.’