Wine Tasting Terminology

adjective having a sour or sharp taste or character

• The acidulous taste of the lemonade was refreshing on a hot summer day.
• I can't stand the acidulous flavor of pineapple juice.
• That soda is way too acidulous for my liking.
• Her acidulous remarks left a bitter taste in everyone's mouth.

noun a taste that remains in the mouth after food or drink has been swallowed

• The wine had a lingering aftertaste of oak and berries.
• That soda leaves a weird aftertaste in my mouth.
• I hate the aftertaste of that energy drink, it's gross.
• The aftertaste of betrayal lingered long after the friendship ended.

noun A tool used for removing corks from bottles, typically consisting of a spiral metal rod with a handle.

• The sommelier used a corkscrew to open the bottle of wine.
• Can you pass me that corkscrew so I can open this bottle?
• I always keep a trusty corkscrew in my kitchen drawer.
• She used her wit as a corkscrew to unravel the mystery.

verb to pour a liquid from one container to another, typically in order to separate sediment from the liquid

• The sommelier demonstrated how to properly decant the wine before serving.
• I always decant the wine before we have guests over.
• Let's decant this bottle and get the party started!
• She needed to decant her thoughts before making a decision.

noun a state or quality of being dry

• The dryness of the desert climate can be challenging for many plant species.
• My skin gets so itchy and flaky from the dryness in the winter.
• I hate how my hair gets all frizzy because of the dryness in the air.
• The dryness in their relationship was evident by their lack of communication.

adjective unrefined or coarse in nature or appearance

• The soil in this area has an earthy smell due to the high concentration of minerals.
• I love the earthy taste of mushrooms in my pasta dish.
• That new coffee shop has a really earthy vibe, I love it.
• Her paintings have an earthy quality to them, with rich colors and natural textures.

noun a fruit-flavored taste or smell

adjective having a strong pleasant taste or smell of fruit

• The wine had a delightful fruity aroma with hints of berries and citrus.
• I love snacking on fresh, fruity grapes in the afternoon.
• That smoothie was so fruity, it hit the spot!
• Her personality is so vibrant and fruity, always bringing a burst of energy to the room.

noun a type of wine or coffee that is described as full-bodied

adjective describing a wine or coffee that is rich, robust, and flavorful

• The wine connoisseur described the red wine as full bodied with rich flavors.
• I love a full bodied beer with lots of hops in it.
• This coffee is so full bodied, it's like a flavor explosion in my mouth.
• Her novel was full bodied with complex characters and intricate plot twists.

adjective exciting or exhilarating

• The heady aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the room.
• We had a heady night out on the town, dancing and laughing until dawn.
• That concert was so heady, man. The music was just unreal.
• The team was riding a heady wave of success, winning game after game.

verb to become fully developed or ripe

adjective fully developed in body or mind, ripe, adult

• It is important for individuals to demonstrate mature behavior in professional settings.
• She's so mature for her age, always handling situations with grace.
• Dude, that party was full of mature adults, no drama at all.
• The idea has not yet matured enough to be implemented in our business strategy.

verb to have reached full development or completion

adjective fully developed in body or mind; ripe; complete

• Through years of experience, he has matured into a responsible and reliable leader.
• She has really matured since starting her new job.
• My taste in music has matured over time, I used to only listen to pop but now I enjoy a variety of genres.
• The idea for the new product has matured into a fully developed concept ready for production.

adjective having a strong, earthy odor like that of musk

• The old library had a musky smell from the ancient books.
• I love the musky scent of my boyfriend's cologne.
• This room smells so musky, we need to open a window.
• The musky atmosphere of the jazz club added to the overall ambiance.

noun a part of the face or sense organ used for smelling and breathing

verb to detect a scent or smell with the nose

• The doctor examined her nose to check for any signs of infection.
• She wrinkled her nose at the strong smell coming from the kitchen.
• I told him to stop being nosy and mind his own business.
• She has a keen nose for detecting lies.

noun a type of tree that belongs to the beech family, typically having lobed leaves and acorns

• The oak tree in the park is over a hundred years old.
• I love sitting under the big oak tree in my backyard.
• Let's meet at the park by the oak tree, it's a cool spot.
• His strength was like that of an oak tree, unwavering and solid.

noun the state or quality of being pulpy

• The pulpiness of the orange juice indicated that it was freshly squeezed.
• I prefer my apple juice with a bit of pulpiness for added texture.
• I can't stand the pulpiness in my smoothies, it feels like I'm drinking sand.
• The pulpiness of the novel's plot kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end.

adjective having a sharply strong taste or smell

• The pungent smell of onions filled the kitchen as she chopped them for the stew.
• Wow, that cheese is really pungent!
• I can't stand the pungent odor of that cologne.
• His words had a pungent effect on her emotions, stirring up memories she had long tried to forget.

noun a slight suspicion or hint

• The chef added just a soupcon of salt to the dish to enhance the flavors.
• I only need a soupcon of sugar in my coffee, thanks.
• She's got a soupcon of attitude, but I like it.
• His speech was filled with a soupcon of humor, making it more engaging.

adjective not having or showing good judgment; lacking discernment

• The undiscerning customer made a hasty decision without considering all the options.
• She's so undiscerning when it comes to choosing movies, she'll watch anything.
• I can't believe how undiscerning he is with his fashion choices, he'll wear anything that's trendy.
• His undiscerning taste in music shows that he lacks the ability to appreciate true artistry.

adjective describing a texture that is soft, smooth, and reminiscent of velvet

• The velvety fabric of the dress felt luxurious against her skin.
• I love how velvety the chocolate cake is at that bakery.
• This lotion makes your skin feel so velvety smooth.
• His velvety voice was soothing to listen to during the presentation.

adjective having the taste or characteristic of vinegar

• The salad dressing had a slightly vinegarish taste to it.
• I find that wine to be quite vinegarish, but some people really enjoy it.
• I can't stand the vinegarish smell of that cleaning product.
• Her words had a vinegarish tone, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.

noun a person who sells wine

• The wine merchant recommended a bottle of Bordeaux for the dinner party.
• I always go to that wine merchant for the best deals on chardonnay.
• The wine merchant hooked me up with a killer cabernet sauvignon.
• As a wine merchant of knowledge, she could distinguish the subtle differences in flavor profiles.

noun a container or room that is used for storing wine

adjective relating to the storage of wine

• The winemaker carefully considered the aeroir of the vineyard when selecting where to plant the new grape varietals.
• I can definitely taste the difference in the aeroir of this wine compared to the one we had last night.
• This aeroir is giving me serious grape vibes, I love it!
• The aeroir of this town just feels so welcoming and cozy, I could see myself living here forever.

adjective sour or acidic in taste; resembling vinegar

• The acetous aroma of vinegar filled the kitchen as she prepared the salad dressing.
• I can't stand the acetous taste of pickles.
• That acetous drink is not my cup of tea.
• His acetous personality made it difficult for others to get along with him.

verb Aerating is the present participle form of the verb aerate, which means to introduce air into a substance.

• Aerating the soil is an important step in maintaining a healthy garden.
• I'm aerating the lawn this weekend to keep it looking nice.
• I heard aerating the wine really brings out the flavors.
• His speech was like aerating a stuffy room, bringing fresh ideas and perspectives to light.

noun the quality or state of being able to age well or improve with age

• The ageability of this wine is impressive, with potential to improve over the next decade.
• This cheese has great ageability, it just gets better with time.
• I didn't realize the ageability of vintage clothing, they can really hold up well.
• The ageability of friendships is a true test of time and loyalty.