Wine is sexy. There is no arguing that lyrical creativity in wine is heavily laced with PG13, R, and even X-rated innuendos. Within the rigid walls of even the most distinguished wine critics, you will frequent words such as luscious, muscular, fleshy, supple, and smooth.
So what do they mean when they say a wine is luscious? Or fleshy? And how do you go about describing a mind-blowing wine without sounding like an excerpt from an erotic novel?
I generally like to keep wine descriptions straightforward. As much fun as it might be personifying a wine and taking it on a “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” escapade, you can get lost in the adventure and lose track of the wine. Keep it brief, slip in a spicy pun, and drop the mic.
Here are a few words to get your lips wet:
Luscious: A wine that is soft, juicy, and usually a bit sweet, in the most enjoyable of ways.
Fleshy: A wine that is chewy and meaty. There is so much body, alcohol, and flavour, that this wine needs to be digested in your mouth.
Supple: A wine that is velvety, soft, and round, yet complex. When these elements are properly balanced, it is a harmonious characteristic that is extremely appealing.
Long: A wine whose flavours (the good ones) linger in your mouth. A long finish is a sign of quality.
Opulent: A rich, bold, and smooth wine.
Creamy: a wine (usually white) that is fermented or aged in oak. Often used to describe buttery Chardonnay.
Silky: The red wine counterpart to “creamy” for white wine. Silky red wines are smooth and elegant on your tongue.
Vigorous: A youthful, firm, and lively wine.
—Laura Starr
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