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AGREEABLE |
A well balanced wine, pleasant to drink. |
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APPLEY |
An apple like aroma in young white wines, coming from malic acid. |
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AROMA |
Describes the simple smell of a single fruit in a young wine. |
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ASTRINGENT |
A wine containing too much tannin and acidity. |
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AUSTERE |
Assertively tart and acidic. |
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BALANCED |
All the components are in the right proportions. |
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BOUQUET |
A combination of smells coming from the fruit and the technique used to produce the wine |
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BUTTERY |
Often the result of malolactic fermentation, creating a buttery or softened finish. |
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CLEAN |
A well-made wine, with no “off” aromas or taste. |
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COMPLEX |
Showing a variety of subtle scents and flavors. |
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DELICATE |
Applies to wines that are light, usually white, young and fresh. |
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DRY |
Without the noticeable presence of sugar, a wine with no residual sugar. |
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ELIGANT |
Well balanced with finesse, a truly fine wine. |
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FLABBY |
Too soft or flat, lacking acidity, without character. |
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FLINTY |
Dry, clean, sharp, steely, often used to describe Chablis. |
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FLOWERY |
An appealing fragrance, almost flowerlike. |
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FRESH |
Young, lively and clean. |
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GENEROUS |
A full-bodied wine having a high quality, and rich in body. |
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GRASSY |
The smell of grass or new mown hay, often used to describe Fume Blanc. |
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GREEN |
Unripe fruit, unbalanced acidity, raw taste. |
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HARD |
An astringent wine from high levels of tannins. |
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HONEY |
A scent found in some sweeter wines. |
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LIGHT |
Lacking in body. Color or alcohol, but pleasant enough to drink. |
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NOSE |
A term used to describe both the aroma and bouquet of a wine. |
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OAKY |
An aroma given off by a wine that has been aged in or with the presence of oak. |
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QUAFFING |
A light and easy to drink wine. |
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ROUND |
Well balanced, mature wine without harshness. |
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SUPPLE |
A quality wine with smooth or few tannins, easy to drink. |
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TANNIN |
for proper aging potential. |
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TART |
Meaning acidic, in excess it can make you pucker like a lemon can. |
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THIN |
Lacking in body and alcohol, watery, will not improve with age. |
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VEGETAL |
A term used to describe the presence of vegetable rather than fruit, usually found in Sauvignon Blancs, can be found in other varietals if over watered or over fertilized grapes. |
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VELVETY |
A wine which is mellow, fine and soft on the palate. |
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YEASTY |
characteristic of Champagne. |
