Taste Decoder

Wine words, in plain English.

Somebody said the wine is “flabby”? The label says “sur lie”? Look it up — 200+ terms decoded, no jargon in the definitions.

Tasting

Finish

What it means in wine

Finish includes length, flavor persistence, texture, warmth, bitterness, sweetness, acidity, and tannin.

Why it matters

A clean, persistent finish is often a positive sign; a harsh, hot, or unpleasant finish may signal imbalance or fault.

Want it explained for your bottle? Ask Scott about “Finish”.

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Acidity The fresh, mouthwatering structure in wine that can make it feel bright, crisp, … Alcohol The ethanol in wine, usually shown on labels as alcohol by volume. Aroma The smell of a wine, especially the scents perceived before tasting. Balance The way a wine’s major elements work together so that none feels out of place. Body The perceived weight or fullness of wine in the mouth. Bouquet The developed smell of a wine, often used for aromas that emerge with age or mat… Complexity The presence of multiple, integrated aroma and flavor dimensions in a wine. Finish The flavor and sensation that remain after swallowing or spitting wine. Fruit Character The fruit-like flavors and aromas perceived in wine. Herbaceous A tasting descriptor for green, leafy, grassy, or herbal aromas and flavors. Intensity The strength of a wine’s aromas or flavors. Minerality A common tasting term for stony, chalky, saline, flinty, or mineral-like impress… Mouthfeel The physical sensations wine creates on the palate. Primary Aromas Aromas mainly associated with grape variety and fermentation fruit expression. Secondary Aromas Aromas associated with winemaking and maturation choices. Sweetness The perception of sugar or sweet taste in wine. Tannin A structural compound that creates drying, gripping, or astringent sensations, e… Tertiary Aromas Aromas that develop as wine ages in bottle or over longer maturation. Texture The tactile feel of wine in the mouth. Typicity The degree to which a wine resembles the expected style of its grape, place, or …