Some attributes of wine

Contents

Racy, fleshy, mineral, oxidative… Don’t know which way to turn? Don’t worry, here’s a little kit to guide you through blind wine tasting!

What is a racy wine?

A racy wine is one that combines elegance and finesse. It has the character and personality of its grape variety and terroir.

What is a fleshy wine?

A fleshy wine is one that is very fruity, full-bodied and tannic. A full-bodied wine is said to be chewy, to give a certain impression of fullness on the palate.

What is a full-bodied wine?

A full-bodied wine is very dense, filling the mouth and developing a strong retro-olfaction. However, it’s not too heavy and doesn’t weigh down the palate.

What is a woody wine?

A wine aged in oak acquires typical vanilla, caramel or burnt aromas, depending on the degree of wood burning. On the nose, it seems woody.

What is a tense wine?

A taut wine is a lively wine, with acidity but also good length. The palate is lively and fresh. It is generally opposed to a full-bodied wine that will coat the palate.

What is a balanced wine?

The balance of a wine is judged by its suppleness and hardness. A sweet wine is rich in sugars and needs a dose of acidity to compensate for this sweetness. Conversely, a wine’s acidity needs to be counterbalanced by a dose of sweetness. A well-balanced wine therefore displays a harmony of roundness, astringency and acidity.

What is an oxidative wine?

An oxidative wine has been aged in contact with air, it has been oxygenated. Its primary aromas are concentrated on ripe apples, spices and dried fruits. Thanks to the contact with the air, the acidity has been reduced and the tannins have melted.

What is a mineral wine?

A mineral wine doesn’t have its own flavor, but rather a special sensation that can be recognized by taste and smell. In concrete terms, tasting a mineral wine gives us a sensation of being close to rocky or metallic aromas (chalk, flint, gunflint…).

What is a vinous wine?

This adjective is generally used for champagnes and effervescents. A vinous wine is distinguished by its powerful body and alcoholic mouthfeel. Complex aromas such as brioche and vanilla can be found.