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Last Updated: Mar 3, 2026Acidity
Acidity
Acidity can be described as a “zing” on the tongue, acting as a structural backbone that balances sweetness and alcohol, while preventing spoilage. High acid wines feel light, crisp and refreshing (e.g Sauvignon Blanc), while low acid wines are rounder and softer (e.g Chardonnay). Acidity is a fundamental trait that gives wine its crisp, tart and refreshing taste.
See Also
Aroma
Aroma in wine refers to the specific, volatile odors detected by the nose, which may be fruity, floral, earthy or mineral.
Hot
A "hot" wine is a wine with unbalanced, excessively high alcohol (>14.5% ABV) that creates a burning sensation in the throat and mouth.
Extract
The extract of a wine is everything in it apart from water, sugar, alcohol and acids. It refers to the non volatile solids such as tannins, anthocyannins and glycerol which are drawn from the grape during maceration.
Bouquet
The term "bouquet" refers to the complex aromas and perfumes that develop in wine due to bottle maturation, fermentation and wood aging. It includes scents like vanilla, toast, earth and truffle.
QPR
QPR in wine stands for Quality to Price Ratio, a metric used to assess a bottle's quality relative to its price. The higher a wine's QPR, the more quality you get for your money.
Umami
Umami, which means "savory or delicious taste" in Japanese, is the "fifth taste" that adds complexity, richness and length to a wine's finish. It develops through glutamate and amino acids from late harvest grapes or lees aging and it enhances the other flavors.
Length
A wine's length describes how long a wine's flavor, aromas and tactile sensations last on your palate after spitting it out or swallowing.
Finish
A wine's "finish" is the lasting impression it leaves on your palate after swallowing or spitting it out. It is a key indicator of quality, often described by its length, which can be short, medium or long and its flavor profile.
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