Did you know that the taste of wine can vary based on the region, grape, and season?
There are thousands of different variations in the aroma and flavor of wine and it can be overwhelming for a beginner to begin to understand this new world.
Moreover, the language around wine can be hard to interpret at first, which may result in confusion. Therefore, it can be helpful to know the basic wine tasting terms prior to exploring this delightful drink at a California winery.
Here is a list of the top wine tasting terms for those looking to delve deeper into what your taste buds sense.
- Acidic - The term acidic refers to a wine that is so high in acidity that it is very tart and sour in taste. It may also leave a sharp lingering edge on the tongue. This flavor profile needs to be balanced with others to be considered pleasant.
- Fruity - A wine that is only described as fruity is not generally a good one as there should be additional aromas to complement it. Other similar terms to this one would be "fruit-forward" or "fruit-driven" as fruit is the primary taste.
- Buttery - This term indicates the smell of butter and is similar to the term "toasty" in the wine tasting world. It can also represent the texture of a smooth, rich wine.
- Clean - Clean wine is a wine that tastes fresh and does not have an odd or unpleasant flavor profile. However, it is not necessarily positive as the ideal wine will be complex in its taste on the palate.
- Dry - The term dry refers to the amount of sugar that is present in the wine. A dry wine will contain less sugar while a sweet wine will contain more.
- Robust - Robust can be a good or a bad quality in wine depending which other descriptions are used. It can indicate that the wine is overblown and too intense or it could mean that it is vigorous and pleasant.
- Earthy - An earthy wine can be one that is clean and brings a complexity to the over components. However, it also can mean a dirty tasting wine reminiscent of a barnyard.
- Complex - The best wines are complex in nature and are a combination of the right depth, intensity, focus, balance, and harmony.
- Bright - A younger, fresh, and ripe wine with focused flavors. This can also describe a wine that is fruity but in a more positive way.
- Burnt - The wine tasting term burnt usually means that the grapes were overdone and have a smokey flavor. It can be positive or negative depending on the other flavors present.
Final Thoughts on Wine Tasting Terms
Overall, there are many different wine tasting terms to learn. The most important terms will depend on your personal preferences.
As well, the easiest way to learn what the terms mean is to taste the different flavors for yourself in a reputable winery.
For the best wine in California, come visit our wine tasting room for your ultimate lesson on the beauty and complexity of wine.
Autry Cellars is proud to be one of the smallest boutique wineries on the Central Coast. Autry Cellars begins with carefully selected grapes grown in the highly-prized Paso Robles and Edna Valley appellations along California’s stunning Central Coast.
