Wine Words

Part One “Tasting Terms” (Continued from page 14)

Earthy – This term refers to the flavors and smells that are derived
from the soil where the grapes have been grown. A little is appealing, too much can make a wine “coarse”.

• Finish – This refers to the impression that a wine leaves in your mouth after it is swallowed: not only the flavors, but how long the taste lingers.

• Firm – This relates to the aftertaste and refers to the taste at the very back of your palate which is caused by the tannins.

• Flat – Describing a wine that is dull, boring or lifeless.

• Fruity or Fruit Forward – Often used to denote a wine whose fruit flavors and aromas are noticeable. This term is most often used when talking about whites or lower tannin reds.

• Green – This term is used often for young wines that have too much acidity.

• Hard – Simply put, too much tannin!

• Heavy – Meaning a wine with too much alcohol and acidity for the fruit and sugar levels.

• Hot – Simply put, too much alcohol!

• Jammy – A wine having a great intensity of fruit which contributes to a very flavorful, concentrated taste.

• Lean – This denotes a wine lacking in fruit but not acidity.

• Legs – When you swirl your glass of wine and watch the columns of wine that trickle down the glass, these are called its legs.