Wine Tasting Glossary

The ABCs of Tasting by Château Fontesteau – First installment: A through C. Stay tuned for more...

A     

Acidic / Acidity: A sharp, lively sensation that brings freshness to the wine. Excessive acidity can make a wine seem aggressive, but well-balanced acidity provides structure. Example: "A bright acidity supports the wine, adding freshness."

Acerbic: Describes a harsh, overly acidic wine that is unpleasant on the palate.

Example: "This white wine is acerbic, biting, with no roundness."

Agreeable: A harmonious, easy-to-drink wine with no major flaws.

Ample: Describes a wine that fills the mouth generously, with volume and richness.

Example: "A full-bodied palate with enveloping aromas."

Animal: Aromatic family evoking leather, fur, musk, or game, typical of some aged wines.

Aroma: Scents perceived through the nose. Can be primary (fruit, floral), secondary (fermentation), or tertiary (aging).

Aromatic: A wine with pronounced, expressive aromas.

Astringent: A drying sensation caused by tannins, giving a rough or grippy feel. Example: "This young red wine is still very astringent."

Attack: The first impression of the wine on the palate. Can be lively, soft, sharp, flabby, etc.

B

Balanced: Harmony between the wine’s components (alcohol, acidity, tannins, sugar). Example: "A perfectly balanced wine; no single element dominates."

Bitter: A taste reminiscent of walnut skin or grapefruit peel, often noticeable in the finish. Example: "A slight bitterness of lemon zest concludes the tasting."

Blossoming: A wine that has reached its peak aromatic expression.

Bouquet: The complex array of aromas in a mature wine. Example: "A captivating bouquet of leather, candied fruit, and underbrush."

C

Caudalie: Unit measuring aromatic persistence (1 caudalie = 1 second). Example: "An 8-caudalie finish, worthy of a grand cru."

Chewy: A wine with both thickness and volume, giving the impression it could be "chewed."

Classy: A distinguished, elegant wine with personality. Example: "A classy wine with noble tannins and integrated oak."

Clean: A fault-free wine with no off-aromas.

Closed: A wine that is not expressive, needing time or aeration.

Coarse: Lacking finesse.

Color / Hue: The visual appearance of the wine, indicating age or evolution.

Example: "A garnet red with brick reflections, showing maturity."

Corked: A wine tainted by a "corked" flavor, caused by a contaminated cork (mold or chlorine residues).