Have you ever felt like you’ve stepped into another world at a wine tasting? No wonder, as wine tasting terminology can initially feel like a shock: it’s often when we realize how much expertise goes into the making of every bottle of wine! If you would like to improve yourself, you’re in the right place: in this article, we’ll help you navigate through wine tasting glossary and wine tasting terminology!

To truly appreciate the different wines during wine tasting, it’s essential to become familiar with the wine industry’s specific terminology. These expressions allow you to observe and savor every drop of wine in greater detail! Let’s dive in!

Aromas

While most outsiders typically distinguish wines based on taste, a professional often begins their assessment with color and aroma. When it comes to scents, wine tasting terminology may include terms like primary, secondary, and tertiary aromas. A wine’s primary aromas come from the grape variety itself (these could be citrusy, fruity, or floral scents), secondary aromas are developed during winemaking processes like fermentation, while tertiary aromas typically emerge during the aging process. These can include oak, woody, vanilla, or roasted smells.

Key Tasting Terminology

Moving on to tastes, you’ll encounter a lot more specialized terminology. Body refers to the feeling the wine leaves in your mouth. It can be light, medium, or full-bodied: the different types are influenced by the wine’s alcohol content. During wine tasting, acidity is another commonly discussed feature. Acidity defines the liveliness of the wine: this characteristic gives the wine its freshness. Acidic wine tends to be more refreshing, while low-acid wine feels softer.

During wine tasting, the question of tannins often comes up. Tannins are the most important feature of red wines: they influence the texture and flavor of the wine, and are responsible for that dry sensation in the mouth. (The strength of tannins also affects how “puckering” a wine feels.) If you’re looking for a smoother option, low tannin red wines are typically more approachable.

Important Wine Tasting Terms

Winemakers often refer to mouthfeel during tastings: this generally refers to the wine’s texture and helps define how the wine feels in the mouth. (A wine can feel smooth, creamy, woody, dry, or drier compared to others.) Complexity is another important term in wine tasting: complex wines have multiple layers of flavors, which can include fruity, spicy, or oaky notes. If someone mentions a wine has a “clean finish,” it refers to the fact that the flavors are “clear,” with no muddled or off tastes. If a wine is described as “dirty,” it means the flavors are irregular or unpleasant.

As the tasting concludes, the finish of the wine might come into play. The finish is the flavor that lingers in your mouth after swallowing, and it can be long, complex, or short and simple. (Wines with a long finish are often more serious and refined compared to those with a short finish.)

Learning the wine tasting glossary not only enhances your experience at a tasting, but it also helps you select wines more consciously and confidently. By understanding the different characteristics, you’ll be able to evaluate different styles and nuances, adding a new dimension to your wine-loving journey!

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