Wine Complexity

Wine complexity isn't a sign of a wine snob...it's a legitimate wine trait.

For a poem, piece of art, or even a bottle of wine to seriously delight us, they must weave together an intricate and nuanced whole.

Seriously, think about it: very few things are ever applauded for being one-dimensional.

One-dimensional means flat.
It means boring.
It means simplistic.

It lacks mystery.
It lacks sophistication.
It lacks...complexity!

Bingo! That's the golden word to grab onto in the wine world. Complexity.

Because all good sophisticated wine display many different qualities at different times - that's all part of the fun!

Some aromas and flavors are exposed with certain temperatures or paired with certain foods, and other aromas and flavors for completely different circumstances.

All from the same 'wine'.

But consistency in wine is a very big, nebulous world.

That's one of the things about wine that I love the most. It's IMPOSSIBLE to box it up or nail it down with scientific accuracy or consistency.

It always changes on you...you'll never drink the same wine twice.

But try this test next time: take your first, second, third sip of a glass of wine and count how many distinct elements you can easily pick up. A smooth finish? A fruity aromatic bouquet? Strong minerality? Mellow tannins?

A fine wine will strive to express at least three or four different wine elements simultaneously. And the longer it aerates in the glass, the more diverse its elements will become. 

Wine Tasting Notes
Wine Terms for Complexity

  • deep
  • delineated
  • depth
  • focused
  • integrated
  • intricate
  • monothematic
  • multidimensional
  • multilayered
  • nuanced
  • orchestrated
  • precise
  • simple
  • spectrum
  • uncomplicated

* * * * * * *

› Easy Wine Glossary › Wine Complexity

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