Learn about wine

R

ratings

Wine reviews based on a hundred-point scale. 

 

rosé

Pink wines made from red grapes. 

 

rough

The tactile “coarse” sensation one experiences with very astringent wines

 

S

sec

The French word for “dry.”

 

sommelier 

A wine butler; also used to denote a certified wine professional.

 

spicy

A tasting term used for odors and flavors reminiscent of black pepper, bay leaf, curry powder, baking spices, oregano, rosemary, thyme, saffron, or paprika found in certain wines

 

supertaster

An individual with the genetic ability to taste a wider array tannins and other bitter compounds.

 

sweet

Wines with perceptible sugar contents on the nose and in the mouth

 

T

tannins

The phenolic compounds in wines that leave a bitter, dry, and puckery feeling in the mouth.

 

tartaric acid

The principal acid in grapes, tartaric acid promotes flavor and aging in wine

 

terroir

French for geographical characteristics unique to a given vineyard. 

 

texture

A tasting term describing how the wine feels on the palate

 

typicity

A tasting term that describes how well a wine expresses the characteristics inherent to the variety of grape