| Acid, Acidic |
A sharp or tart taste in a wine, not necessarily
indicating spoilage. All wines contain some acid; too little may
leave the flavor flat or dull. Often, a young wine has a somewhat
acid taste that diminishes or disappears during aging.
|
| Aroma |
The smell of the grape variety that carries
over into the wine. It is most perceptible in Concord and Muscat
grapes.
|
| Astringent |
A sharp, puckery taste in a new wine due to tannin
(see that listing). Aging in cask or bottle is the remedy.
|
| Big Wine |
One having strong flavor and full body, to serve
with flavorsome food.
|
| Body |
The viscosity or "feeling" of a
wine in the mouth--which is related in part to its alcohol content.
A wine may have a thin, medium, full, or heavy body.
|
| Bouquet |
A combination of wine odors - that of the
grape variety (see "aroma"), plus others that develop in
the wine during fermentation and aging in oak.
|
| Finish |
The aftertaste of wine. Some wines taste
sweet at first but "finish" dry in the mouth. Any wine
taste that leaves the palate quickly is said to have a
"short" finish. A taste that lingers carries a
"long" finish--a quality to be desired.
|
| Flat |
Usually said of wine lacking in acidity (see
"acid").
|
| Flowery |
A floral smell in wines such as Gewurztraminer and
young wines made of White Riesling grapes.
|
| Foxy |
Term used to describe the strong grapey smell and
taste of some wines made from our native Eastern grapes, such as
Concord, Catawba, Niagara, and Delaware. Such grapes once were
called "fox grapes," which accounts for the word
"foxy."
|
| Full, Full-Bodied |
Wine causing a sensation of fullness in the mouth
(see "body").
|
| Nose |
Term frequently used in place of "smell"
or "aroma," as in "The nose of this wine is very
flowery."
|
| Nutty |
Having a nutlike smell or taste; often said of
sherry.
|
| Peppery |
A spicy nose and flavor in red wine.
|
| Tannic, Tannin |
A substance in grape skins, seeds, and
stems necessary for the development of fine red wines. In young
wines, it is unpleasant, but the "puckery" taste
disappears in time and a harmonious blending of wine characteristics
takes place. See "astringent." |
