Floral
Floral
The term “floral” is used to describe the delicate, perfumed and aromatic notes that smell like roses, violets, jasmine, orange blossom or other flowers, arising naturally from specific grape varieties, not additives. These floral aromas are common in aromatic white wines like Muscat, Gewürztraminer and Viognier. They are primary notes, not gotten from oak aging or winemaking techniques.
See Also
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.
Palate
The palate refers to the overall physical sensation and taste profile of wine once it is in your mouth. It includes the texture, body, acidity, tannic structure and flavors from inital taste to the finish.
Flavonoids
Flavonoids are natural polyphenolic compounds gotten from grape skins, stems and seeds. They are found in high concentrations in red wine.
Acidity
Acidity can be described as a "zing" on the tongue, acting as a structural backbone that balances sweetness and alcohol, while preventing spoilage.
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".
Balance
Balance is the proportional relationship between acidity, alcohol, sugar, tannin and fruit concentration in a wine, where no single element dominates.
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.
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.