The Basics |
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Common Tasting Terms |
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Although there are all kinds of terms used by wine enthusiasts to describe what they drink,
we wanted to provide you with a short list of the key terms that you're most likely to hear
or read. Aroma The natural smell of wine that comes from the grapes. Aromas include the fruity smells on the nose of wine such as strawberry or cherry in reds and peaches or pineapple in whites. Balance The combination of elements in a wine such as fruit, alcohol, tannin and acid where everything works together and no one element stands out over the others. The best wines will always be in balance. This term is important enough to warrant its own article. Big Describes a wine that's rich, full-bodied and typically high in alcoholic content with bold flavors. This is considered to be a positive way to describe a wine. Bouquet The smell of wine that comes from the winemaking process. For example, the bouquet of a wine can include smelling the vanilla essence that comes from aging the wine in smoked oak barrels. Chewy Describes a wine that's so full-bodied and heavy that it almost feels like it should be chewed instead of swallowed. Complex Describes a high quality wine that offers the drinker a multitude of smells and flavors. Corked Describes a wine that has been corrupted by a faulty cork. The wine will have a very distinct and nasty smell, reminiscent of wet cardboard or newspaper. Dry Describes a wine that contains no residual sugar, so there's no sweetness at all when tasted. The French call this sec. Earthy Describes a wine that is reminiscent of elements such as dirt, soil or moss. Finish The sensation and flavors that wine leaves behind in your mouth after you've swallowed it. A long, distinct finish is a characteristic of a good wine. Flabby Describes a wine that feels dull and flat in your mouth. This occurs in wines that are lacking in acidity, which is needed to give wine zest and balance. Hot Describes a wine that feels harsh on the palate and fills your mouth with a burning sensation. This is due to excessive alcohol that throws the wine out of balance. Nose Another way to describe the overall smell of a wine, taking into account the combination of the aroma (the natural smells of the grapes) and the bouquet (the smells produced from the barreling and the winemaking). Structure Describes the backbone or foundation of a wine, usually acids in white wines and tannin in red wines. Terroir The idea, originating in France, that the flavors and characteristics of wine are tied to the climate, soil and environment that the grapes are grown in. Believers in terroir will not significantly manipulate the wine, since the grapes and the site where they were grown will ultimately determine its quality. |
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