A Guide to Understanding the Complexity of Wine

For those of us who yet aren’t the wine enthusiasts that we strive to be, the one thing that thwarts our chances of moving ahead in the wine world is that of understanding how they are described. Wine is obtained through a very complex process and the many factors affect its creation: there’s the taste and color that are often termed differently; the kinds of grapes used; the acidity and fruitiness, etc.

Buying wine without understanding the different aspects which contribute in its concoction is not a good move. They more or less describe the intricate blend with which those specific wines were made. Take the Chianti Classico Riserva, for example. Described as a intense bouquet of rich floral notes with a well-balanced taste and hints of fruit and pleasant tannic, only those who know these terms will know how exquisite this wine tastes. So here, we are going to help you by describing a few of these terms which are used to describe different wines.



Different Terms of Wine

Acidity

A wind with acidity is zesty and hits the tongue sharply. Wines such as red which tend to be tarter are often described with this term. White wines are described as having characteristics similar to citrus obtained from lime or lemon juice.

Bright

Bright wines are accompanied with a buttery taste and are generally seen as more rich and without much acidity. They are usually seen as very smooth and coat the tongue with their creamy texture, thus making them more butter-like.

Complex

Even for an amateur wine lover, the term complex has been used enough for them to wonder what it means. Basically, complex wines are those which do not have a definite flavor. From the moment they hit your tongue to the moment you swallow, the fact that you cannot pinpoint their precise flavor adds to the wine’s complexity.

Elegant

An elegant wine is exactly that. Elegant wines are not fruity, opulent or bold, but are simply more acidic and although might taste a bit off on the first try, these wines usually tend to age better.

Refined

A refined wine is an excellent and smooth wine.

Hint

“Hint of” means that the wine definitely has a taste of oak, fruits, herbs and any ingredient which is added as an accent to the wine.

Crisp

Crisp is a term usually associated with white wine. Crisp wines are those which are simply, but go down smoothly enough that they refresh you after you take a sip.

Oaked

Oak is a flavor much associated with the non-grape aspect of wine. For red wines, this may refer to vanilla, dill or even baked spices. For red wines, it may refer to vanilla, coconut or even butter which is added to give an extra taste to the flavor.

Opulent

Opulent is a word used to define a wine which is smooth, rich and has more of a definite and bold taste to it.

Chewy

Tannins in a wine are what make the wine taste dry. A wine with chewy tannins will dry out the interior of your mouth.

So if you want to try out some wines which perfectly describe the term refined and classic then you definitely need to visit the Montemaggio Estate, which serves a wide selection of the best Italian wines for all those who want to experience the most beautiful taste in wines.