Winemaking

WHAT ARE WINE ADJECTIVES AND DESCRIPTIONS? - LETTERS B-E

Wine adjectives (also called wine descriptors) are specific words or phrases used to describe the aroma, flavor, texture, and overall character of a wine. They help wine professionals and enthusiasts communicate what they're experiencing when tasting a wine.

Diane Valenti

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Wine adjectives are used to:
• Identify sensory characteristics (e.g., fruity, oaky, tannic)
• Compare wines
• Describe wine quality and style
• Aid in wine selection or pairing
Some examples are:
   Brilliant: An adjective used to describe a wine of superior clarity, which is usually accomplished through intense filtering.
   Chewy/Meaty: Descriptor for wines that are rich, dense, intense, and full-bodied. Such wines (which are generally red) give a mouth-filling impression that makes them seem almost thick enough to chew.
   Clean: A clean wine is one without faults, either in smell or flavor.
   Creamy: An adjective sometimes used to describe the creamlike impression left on the palate from a sparkling wine's rich, smooth froth.
   Crisp: A descriptor for wine that has a fresh, lively acidity that, although noticeable, doesn't overpower the other components. Crispness is a 
desirable trait in white wines.
   Distinguished: A descriptor for a wine of exceptional character, refinement, and quality.
   Dry: A term that describes wine that isn't sweet. In a fully dry wine, all the sugar has been converted to alcohol during fermentation. 
   Dull: Just as it sounds, a dull wine is lackluster and uninteresting. It's devoid of zest and, though drinkable, certainly lacks excitement.
   Elegant: Descriptor for wines that have finesse, lightness, and flair. They're gracefully balanced and of exceedingly high quality.
   Exuberant: Wine tasting term that describes lively wines with lavish fruit.

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