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Evaluating Red Wine Terms

List of Evaluating Red Wine Terms
Typical terms to evaluate red wine are used to describe the color, aroma, bouquet, and flavors of the wine. The most revealing aspects in a wine are found in the aroma and flavors.

Listed in the table below are some of the common terms used for the various flavors of fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices, and earthy flavors that are found in red wines.

Evaluating Wine Terms to Categorize Red Wine
Body - Compare light to medium to heavy (as if skim milk to whole milk to heavy cream)

Floral - Rose, geranium, violets.

Red Fruit - Strawberry, cherry, raspberry, plum.

Black Fruit - Black cherry, plum, currant, blackberry, prune, blueberry.

Oak Flavors - Toast, smoke, spice, vanilla, cedar, bacon, oak.

Earthy Flavors - Mushrooms, fungus, dirt, leather, forest floor, barnyard.

Other Flavors - Chocolate, mint, eucalyptus, cola, tobacco, tar.

Finish - Length of time taste lingers (usually the longer the better).

Balance - All factors are well integrated.

Red wine aromas primarily come from the grape's variety. However the fermentation process and aging give red wine a secondary aroma which is called the "bouquet."

Some favorite and popular red wines are listed below with the evaluating red wine terms commonly used.
2 glasses red wine

Cabernet Sauvignon

Body can be medium to heavy.
Fruits can be any combination of black fruits; cherry; berry; cassis; plum.
Earthy and Other Flavors can be of mint, eucalyptus; anise; olive; tobacco; leather; green pepper; coffee; chocolate.
Tannins can be medium to strong and powerful.

Cabernet Franc

Body is medium.
Fruits can be red fruits; raspberries; violets.
Tannins generally soft.

Merlot

Body is medium to heavy.
Fruits can be red and black fruits.
Other Flavors can be herbs; chocolate; mocha; coffee.
Tannins are medium to heavy.

Pinot Noir

Body is light to medium.
Fruits can be strawberry; cherry; violets.
Earthy and Other Flavors can be of cola; earth; leather; tobacco
Tannins are light to medium.

Syrah

Body is heavy.
Fruits can be black fruits, currant; berry, cherry; plum.
Other Flavors can be rose; tar; pepper; espresso; cedar; smoke; bacon; vanilla; black pepper.
Tannins are medium.

Zinfandel

Body is medium to heavy.
Fruits can be black fruit; cherry; berry; plum; currant; raisin.
Other Flavors can be black pepper; exotic spices; prune.
Tannins are usually light.

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Tasting Progression
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Did You Know?

Napa Valley, the celebrated California AVA, has 14 sub-appellations.

These sub-appellations have very diverse climates and soil conditions which produce a wide range of Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel styles.

Try a Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel from Rutherford, St. Helena, or Diamond Mountain which are only 3 of the sub-appellations producing superior quality wines of varying styles.

Saluté