Understanding a wine’s characteristics is essential for appreciating its complexity and discovering your personal preferences. These traits shape how a wine tastes, feels, and lingers on the palate. Let’s explore seven key wine characteristics—sweetness, body, tannins, acidity, flavor intensity, finish, and flavor profile—and learn how to identify them.

1. Sweetness

Wine sweetness ranges from completely dry to intensely sweet. It’s determined by the amount of residual sugar left after fermentation.

• Dry wines: Have little to no sugar, resulting in a crisp, clean taste. Examples include most Sauvignon Blancs and Chiantis.

• Off-dry wines: Have a subtle hint of sweetness that enhances the wine’s fruitiness, such as Vouvray or certain Pinot Gris.

• Medium-sweet wines: Strike a balance with noticeable but not overpowering sweetness, like some Rieslings or Gewürztraminers.

• Sweet wines: Include dessert wines like Port, Sauternes, or late-harvest wines.

How to identify it: Taste for sugar content. Dry wines feel clean and crisp, off-dry wines have a faint sweetness, medium-sweet wines are gently sweet, while sweet wines leave a lingering sugary sensation.

2. Body

The body of a wine refers to its weight or fullness on your palate, often influenced by alcohol content, tannins, and residual sugar.

• Light-bodied wines: Feel delicate and refreshing, like Pinot Grigio or Gamay.

• Medium-bodied wines: Offer more structure and complexity without being heavy, such as Merlot or Barbera.

• Full-bodied wines: Are rich and heavy, often with higher alcohol content, like Cabernet Sauvignon or oaked Chardonnay.

How to identify it: Take a sip and notice how the wine feels in your mouth. Light wines feel airy, medium-bodied wines are balanced, and full-bodied wines are richer and heavier.

3. Tannins

Tannins are natural compounds found in grape skins, seeds, and stems, as well as in oak barrels. They contribute to a wine’s structure and texture, creating a drying sensation on your palate.

• Low-tannin wines: Feel smooth and soft, like Pinot Noir or Grenache.

• Medium-tannin wines: Offer noticeable structure without overwhelming dryness, such as Merlot or Malbec.

• High-tannin wines: Are bold and drying, often found in young Cabernet Sauvignon, Nebbiolo, or Tannat.

How to identify it: Pay attention to the texture in your mouth. A drying or slightly astringent sensation often indicates the presence of tannins.

4. Acidity

Acidity gives wine its bright, crisp quality and balances sweetness. It contributes to a wine’s ability to refresh the palate and pair well with food.

• Low-acidity wines: Feel round and soft, like Viognier or Zinfandel.

• Medium-acidity wines: Strike a balance with noticeable freshness, such as Merlot or Chardonnay.

• High-acidity wines: Are zesty and refreshing, like Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling.

How to identify it: Pay attention to how much your mouth waters after taking a sip. More salivation indicates higher acidity, while medium-acidity wines feel balanced and refreshing.

5. Flavor intensity

Flavor intensity refers to how bold or subtle the wine’s flavors are. This characteristic can vary widely depending on the grape variety, climate, and winemaking style.

• Delicate wines: Have subtle, nuanced flavors, like Pinot Noir or Albariño.

• Medium-intensity wines: Offer balanced flavors that stand out without overwhelming, such as Tempranillo or Chenin Blanc.

• Bold wines: Are packed with intense flavors, such as Syrah or Malbec.

How to identify it: Focus on the strength of the flavors in your mouth. Delicate wines offer gentle hints, medium-intensity wines are well-balanced, and bold wines command attention.

6. Finish

The finish is the impression a wine leaves after swallowing, including how long its flavors linger on your palate.

• Short finish: Flavors fade quickly, often found in simpler wines like entry-level Sauvignon Blancs.

• Medium finish: Flavors linger momentarily, offering a satisfying balance, as seen in wines like Merlot or Barbera.

• Long finish: Flavors evolve and linger, common in more complex wines like Amarone or Bordeaux blends.

How to identify it: After swallowing, note how long the flavors remain on your palate. A short finish fades quickly, medium lasts a moment, and long finishes linger beautifully.

7. Flavor profile

The flavor profile encompasses the specific tastes and aromas present in a wine, which can include fruity, floral, earthy, or spicy notes.

• Fruity notes: Berries in reds, citrus or tropical fruits in whites.

• Floral notes: Rose, violet, or honeysuckle aromas.

• Earthy notes: Leather, mushroom, or wet soil, common in aged wines.

• Spicy notes: Pepper, clove, or cinnamon, often found in bold reds.

How to identify it: Swirl your wine to release its aromatic compounds. Inhale deeply to identify the aromas, then taste to see if they align with the scents.

The swirl perspective: Decode your wine

At Swirl, we believe understanding wine characteristics enhances every sip. With our app, you can track your favorite wines, explore their unique traits, and discover new bottles tailored to your taste. Whether you love crisp whites, bold reds, or everything in between, Swirl makes every wine journey unforgettable. Download the app and elevate your wine experience today!