Balance
Balance
Balance is the harmony between the different structural components of wine. It is the proportional relationship between acidity, alcohol, sugar, tannin and fruit concentration, where no single element dominates. A well balanced wine feels complete, complex and smooth with the sharpness (acidity) and grip (tannins) well supported by fruit notes, sweetness levels and alcohol.
See Also
Acidity
Acidity can be described as a "zing" on the tongue, acting as a structural backbone that balances sweetness and alcohol, while preventing spoilage.
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.
Tartaric Acid
Tartaric acid is the primary natural acid in grapes and wine, essential for providing a refreshing, sharp and crisp taste. Unlike other wine acids, it remains stable during fermentation, determining the wine's pH and protecting it against bacteria.
Structure
A wine's structure refers to its foundational components, namely the tannins, acidity, alcohol, body and sugar. It describes the balance and backbone of the wine which determines how it feels, rather than its flavor or how it tastes.
Nose
The "nose" in wine refers to the aroma, scent or bouquet it gives off before tasting. It is generally categorized into primary, secondary and tertiary aromas.
Texture
Texture, or "mouthfeel", refers to the physical, tactile sensatation of the wine as it moves across your palate. It is shaped by the interaction of the tannins, alcohol, sugar and acidity of the wine with the saliva in your mouth.
Tannins
Tannins are naturally occurring polyphenols found in grape skins, seeds, stems and oak barrels that provide texture, structure and aging potential to wine. They are primarily present in red wines, causing a drying, mouth coating or astringent sensation on the tongue, often described as "grippy".
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.