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U-Line Wine Guide 3
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Common Tasting Terms
IDEAL WINE STORAGE CONSIDERATIONS
Temperature:
The most important element about
storage temperature is stability. If wine is kept in a stable
environment between 40°F (7°C) and 65°F (21°C), it will
remain sound. A small 1-2 degree temperature fluctuation
within a stable environment is acceptable. Larger
temperature fluctuations can affect the corks ability to
seal, allowing the wine to “leak” from the bottle.
Humidity:
The traditional view on humidity maintains
that wines should be stored on their sides in 50% - 80%
relative humidity to ensure cork moisture and proper fit in
the bottle. Contemporary wisdom suggests that the cork
surface is too small to be impacted by humidity. Further
the cork is sealed with a metal or wax capsule making
humidity penetration impossible. The concept of a humid
storage environment was derived from the necessity of
wineries to maintain moisture in their cellars to keep
wooden barrel staves swollen, preventing wine
evaporation and product loss. In fact, vineyards estimate
as much as a 10% product loss per year due to
evaporation while wine is aging in the wooden barrels.
Humidity, however, was not intended for the modern
home cellar where wine is stored in glass bottles with
sealed corks.
Light:
UV rays are not only harmful to people, they are
damaging to wines - especially those in clear bottles.
Since oxygen molecules in wine absorb UV rays, wine
should never be stored in direct light for long periods of
time.
Vibration:
Provided that sediment is left undistributed
and particles are not suspended, vibration in a storage
environment is not an issue. Wines can become flat or
tired when voids and vacuums are created inside the wine
bottle. In order to create voids and vacuums within a
liquid, aggressive motion or shaking of the wine bottle
would have to occur.
Terminology
Description
Acidity
A critical element of wine that is responsible
for preserving the wines freshness. Excess
acidity results in an overly tart and sour
wine.
Balance
A desired trait where tannin, fruit and acidity
are in total harmony. Wines with good
balance tend to age gracefully.
Body
The weight and presence of wine in the
mouth provided by the alcohol and tannin
level. Full-bodied wines tend to have this
strong concentration.
Bouquet
The blending of a wine’s aroma within the
bottle over a period of time, caused by
volatile acidity.
Complex
A subjective term often used in tasting. A
wine is said to be complex if it offers a
variety of flavors and scents that continue to
evolve as it develops.
Flabby
A wine that lacks structure, or is heavy to
the taste, lacks acidity.
Full-Bodied
Wine high in alcohol and extract, generally
speaking, fills the mouth, powerful.
Lean
Generally describes wines that are slim,
lacking of generosity or thin.
Oaky
A desirable flavor imparted to wine if done in
moderation. Most wines are aged in oak
barrels one to three years, thereby receiving
this toasty oak characteristic. However, if a
weak wine is left in contact too long with an
oak barrel it will tend to be overpowered with
an oaky taste.
Tannin
Tannins are extracted from the grape skins
and stems and are necessary for a well-
balanced red wine. Tannins are easily
identified in wine tasting as the drying
sensation over the gums. Tannins generally
fade as a wine ages.