Terminology to help you sound like a Wine Afficionado
As with anything, there is special terminology used for wine. So, if you want to sound like a wine afficionado, or just try to impress your friends, consider learning and using the following wine related words
Oenophile A lover of wine
Ullage The space between the wine and the top of a bottle. This increases with time as the wine ages and evaporates or seeps into the cork
Punt The indentation in the base of a bottle of wine.
Bouquet The layers of smell and aromas perceived in a wine
Palate The feel and taste of wine in the mouth
Finish The amount of time a flavor lingers on the palate after the wine is swallowed.
Structure The components of a wine, acidity, sugar, density of fruit flavors and tannins in relation to the overall balance and body of a wine
Appellation The geographic region where grapes are grown
Terroir French term meaning soil, different soils impart different characteristic flavors to wines
Whatever you do though, don’t be intimidated by wine or wine terminology. The best advice I can give to you is to find wine you like and then drink it. Salut!
Tags: appellation, bouquet, finish, oenophile, palate, punt, structure, terroir, ullage
Oh, man. Does this mean I can not use Yummy, or yums, or good, or mmmmmmm, or even RAD, or Suweeet anymore? I have heard all of these and sometimes they really do fit well. Anyway, thanks for the lesson.
Ron those are all totally acceptable ways to describe wine! I merely wanted to offer some words that might enhance someones wine vocabulary. The most important thing about wine though is to not be overwhelmeded or intimidated by it and instead to drink and enjoy it in a way that works for you!