Robust describes wines that are full-bodied, with a strong, powerful character, often with high alcohol content and pronounced flavours. Robust wines are typically rich and complex, offering depth in both taste and aroma, and are often best enjoyed with food that matches their intensity.
Wine Tasting Term
Smooth describes a wine’s texture that is pleasant and harmonious on the palate, often with soft tannins and balanced acidity. It is typically used for wines that provide an easy-drinking experience without harshness or astringency, making them approachable and enjoyable.
Acidity in wine refers to the fresh, tart, and sour attributes that help to balance the sweetness and bitterness of wines. It’s what makes your mouth water and is crucial for the structure and longevity of a wine. Acidity is naturally present in the grapes, and its level can vary […]
Sweet wines contain higher levels of residual sugar, offering flavours from slightly sweet to intensely sugary. Sweetness in wine can result from stopping fermentation early, using grapes with high natural sugar (late harvest), or adding sweetening components. Styles include dessert wines, late harvest wines, and fortified wines like Port.
The aroma of wine is the scent primarily derived from the grape variety and the fermentation process. It’s what you smell when you first sniff a wine. Aromas can range from fruity and floral to spicy and earthy, depending on the grape variety used and how the wine is made. […]
The body of a wine refers to its weight or fullness on the palate, influenced by alcohol content, sugar, and extract. Wines are typically described as light, medium, or full-bodied. Light-bodied wines feel lighter and more delicate, medium-bodied wines offer a balanced weight, and full-bodied wines are richer and heavier. […]
Complexity in wine refers to the range and depth of aromas, flavours, and textures it presents. A complex wine may offer multiple layers of flavour that evolve in the glass or as it ages. Factors contributing to complexity include the grape variety, vineyard location, winemaking techniques, and aging processes. Complex […]
In winemaking, “dry” refers to a wine that contains no perceptible sugar or sweetness. During fermentation, yeast converts the sugar in grapes into alcohol and carbon dioxide. In dry wines, this process continues until almost all the sugar is consumed, resulting in a wine that tastes not sweet. The term […]
The flavour profile of a wine encompasses the range of tastes and aromas perceived during tasting. This profile can include fruit, floral, herbal, earthy, and oak-derived notes, among others. The complexity and balance of these flavours are key quality indicators, with the profile varying widely among different grape varieties, winemaking […]
The finish of a wine refers to the sensations and flavours that linger in the mouth after swallowing. A long, complex finish is often a sign of a high-quality wine, indicating a balance of acidity, tannins, and alcohol. The nature of the finish can reveal much about the wine’s character […]