Bouquets, noses and bodies are not what you’d find in a glass of wine, but getting to grips with the tasting terms will have you sounding like a true connoisseur.
Learning the ropes
Considering a wine’s character means assessing its alcoholic intensity, texture, acidity, tannin levels, aromas and flavours. A wine with good taste, character and body is one that balances its qualities without being overbearing in one area or lacking in another.
The tasting process involves taking in the wine’s appearance, its fragrance, the taste and the aftertaste. When people talk about the “nose” of a wine, they are referring to the bouquet or the aroma. The word “bouquet” is the smell that develops in bottles of aged wine. “Aroma” refers to the smell of younger wines. The “finish” is the lingering aftertaste after swallowing.
Praise
Depending on the style, wine with good character is described as being “complete”, “complex” or possessing “depth”. A light, fresh wine is described as “crisp” or “refreshing”. Wine left to age emerges as “mellow” or “developed”. If it fills the mouth with its flavours, it is said to be “big” or “full-bodied”. A wine can also be “elegant”, “graceful” and even “provocative”.
As is the case with character, the taste sensation depends on the style of the wine. Some wines are “fruity” and “honeyed” because of their sweetness. Others are “silky” and “velvety” as the flavours roll luxuriously off the tongue and down the gullet.
Harsh words
Even novice wine tasters know a bad wine when they taste it. Cheap wines give a taste that’s bitter or “acrid”. Expensive wine isn’t necessarily the best wine either. Even the priciest bottles can come off as “closed”, meaning it lacks flavour and personality. Wines weak in acidity are labelled as “flabby” or “flat”, while those with too much of it are “tart”. Those wines that don’t make any impression are “plain” or “pedestrian”. Balance is important in wine and there’s a fine line between “mellow” and “avoidable” or “boring”.
And finally... the more you taste, the better you’ll be able to tell the difference.
Visit these boutique wineries to grow your knowledge of boutique wine and boutique wineries:
