Wine
I rarely drink wine. I grew up in Italy and wine was largely accessible and common on everyday’s table, but I did not indulge in it much. My palate is yet unable to get much of the differences of wine varieties and certainly I cannot distinguish an expensive bottle from a supermarket one. I aim to improve, though.
Wine varieties and their characteristics
| Red Grape Variety | Common Sensory Descriptors |
|---|---|
| Cabernet Franc | tobacco, green bell pepper, raspberry, freshly mown grass |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | blackcurrants, eucalyptus, chocolate, tobacco |
| Gamay | pomegranate, strawberry |
| Grenache | smoky, pepper, raspberry |
| Malbec | violet, plums, tart red fruit, earthy minerality |
| Merlot | black cherry, plums, tomato |
| Mourvedre | thyme, clove, cinnamon, black pepper, violet, blackberry |
| Nebbiolo | leather, tar, stewed prunes, chocolate, liquorice, roses, prunes |
| Norton | red fruit, elderberries |
| Petite Sirah | earthy, black pepper, dark fruits |
| Petite Verdot | violets (later), pencil shavings |
| Pinot Noir | raspberry, cherry, violets, “farmyard” (with age), truffles |
| Pinotage | bramble fruits |
| Sangiovese | herbs, black cherry, leathery, earthy |
| Syrah/Shiraz | tobacco, black/white pepper, blackberry, smoke |
| Tempranillo | vanilla, strawberry, tobacco |
| Teroldego | spices, chocolate, red fruits |
| Zinfandel | black cherry, pepper, mixed spices, mint, anise |
| White Grape Variety | Common Sensory Descriptor |
|---|---|
| Albariño | lemon, minerals, apricot, peach |
| Breidecker | apple, pear |
| Chardonnay | butter, melon, apple, pineapple, vanilla (if oaked, e.g. vinified or aged in new oak aging barrels) |
| Chenin Blanc | wet wool, beeswax, honey, apple, almond |
| Gewürztraminer | rose petals, lychee, spice |
| Grüner Veltliner | green apple, citrus |
| Marsanne | almond, honeysuckle, marzipan |
| Melon de Bourgogne | lime, salt, green apple |
| Muscato | honey, grapes, lime |
| Palomino | honeydew, citrus, raw nuts |
| Pinot Gris | white peach, pear, apricot |
| Prosecco | apple, honey, musk, citrus |
| Riesling | citrus fruits, peach, honey, petrol |
| Sauvignon Blanc | gooseberry, lime, asparagus, cut grass, bell pepper (capsicum), grapefruit, passionfruit, cat pee (tasters’ term for guava) |
| Semillon | honey, orange, lime |
| Trebbiano (Ugni Blanc) | lime, herbs |
| Verdicchio | apple, minerals, citrus, lemon, almond |
| Vermentino | pear, cream, green fruits |
| Viognier | peach, pear, nutmeg, apricot |