Wine Terms
Wine Glossary and Wine Terms
When reading about wine or consuming wine amongst friends, there are many common wine terms typically used. If you are not a wine enthusiast but you want to at least sound knowledgable, here are a few commonly used terms and what they mean. If you are knowledgable in wine, please feel free to add more terms to this glossary using the wine term form below. These terms will assist you when talking to others abuout wine and when ordering wine out in restaurants.
Acidity: Wines contain acid. When the acids are balanced well with the tannins and fruits, this makes a desirable wine which is refreshing and crisp. Some wines will display too much acidity which can be similar, for comparison, to an orange which is not ripe; the wine can almost make you pucker. Wines need natural acidity to taste fresh and lively, but an excess of acidity results in an acidic wine that is tart and sour. Balance is the key as a wine does need a certain amount of acidity to age properly.
Blends/Cuvee: Wines which are a blend of grapes, no one type of grape making up at least 75% of the juice in the wine. Blends are not a bad thing and there are many wonderful blends available.
Bouquet or Nose: As a wine ages, the aroma of the wine becomes more developed. The aroma is transformed into what is referred to as the bouquet of the wine (or the nose of the wine). This bouquet should hopefully be more than just the smell of the grape.
Complex Wine: This term is very subjective; however, very descriptive and often used. A complex wine is one in which the taster never gets bored and can consistently find new qualities to the taste and nose, making it an interesting wine to drink. Complex wines tend to have a variety of subtle scents and flavors that hold your interest in the wine.
Earthy: One of my favority qualities to the nose of a wine is the earthiness of the nose. However, earthy may be used in both a negative and a positive sense. I prefer to use earthy to denote a positive aroma of fresh, rich, clean soil; any scent you can attribute to the earth or nature.
Finish: As the term suggests, the finish is the taste left in the mouth when one swallows wine. The longer the aftertaste (finish) lingers in the mouth (assuming it is a pleasant taste), the finer the quality of the wine. With a great wine you can at times taste the finish for 15 to 30 seconds after your swallow.
Tannins: Tannins are introduced into wine from not only the seeds and skins of the grapes, but also from the oak casts in which the wines are aged (if the wine was aged in an oak cask). Tannins are similar to acids in the mouth as they can result in a pucking of the mouth; however, tannins are also what make a red wine appear dry to your tongue. Tannins are again a desirable quality in a red wine; however like acids, balance is the key. Tannins give a wine firmness and some roughness when young, but gradually fall away and dissipate. A tannic wine is one that is young and unready to drink.
Varietal: The grape from which the wine was made. To be considered a varietal a wine must contain at least 75% juice from the named grape. For instance, to be considered a Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine must be made from at least 75% Cabernet Sauvignon grape juice; if not, then it should be labeled as a blend, or Cuvee.
Vintage: The year the wine was made.
Hopefully some of these terms will help you be more educated for your next wine party or dinner party. For a large collection of wines, which you can purchase online and have delivered right to your doorstep, visit VineyardsWine.com. Vineyards Wine Online has a large selection of wines available online at very competitive prices. Delivery not available to all states. You must be 21 years of age or older to purchase. Get started on your wine collection today.
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User Added Terms and Comments
Posted on: 06-01-2008
Rating: Positive
I have a very little knowledge about wines. But I want to improve my knowledge about wine as because I am working in food and beverage industry. thanks