Wine Glossary

  • Acidity
    The tart quality in wine that gives a sense of body and structure
  • Alcohol
    A principal element in wine that contributes to its body and texture
  • Balance
    Occurs when there is a harmonious relationship between the three basic desirable elements in a wine: acidity, fruit and tannins
  • Body
    The overall weight or texture of wine. It’s often referred to as “light-bodied,” “medium-bodied,” or “full-bodied”
  • Bouquet
    The complex aromas that have matured in fine wines
  • Finish
    The final taste or impression that a wine leaves in your mouth
  • Legs
    The streams of liquid that run down the inside of a wine glass after swirling or sipping
  • Nose
    The overall smell of a wine
  • Oak
    The scent and taste of wine that has been aged in oak casks or barrels. Depending on the age of the oak, it can impart flavours of toasted vanilla or soft fruity oak.
  • Tannin
    A naturally occurring element in wine extracted from the grape’s skin, seeds and stems. Most prominent in red wine, tannins are astringent in young wine but soften as the wine ages.
  • Vintage
    The year the grapes were harvested for making wine