Wine Glossary - S
From: Wine Taster's Glossary, Barbara Ensrud
August 29, 2011
S
Sharp
Biting acid or tannin.
Short
Refers to finish, or aftertaste, when it ends abruptly.
Silky
Smooth, sinuous texture and finish.
Simple
Opposite of complex; straightforward.
Smoky
Aroma and flavor sometimes associated with oak aging.
Soft
May refer to soft, gentle fruit in delicate wines, or to lack of acidity in wines without proper structure; used on a label occasionally to indicate low alcohol.
Solid
Sound, well structured, firm.
Sour
Sharply acidic or vinegary
Sparkling
Wines with bubbles created by trapped carbon dioxide gas, either natural or injected.
Spicy
Having the character or aroma of spices such as clove, mint, cinnamon, or pepper.
Spritzy
Slight prickle of carbon dioxide, common to some very young wines; frizzante in Italy.
Steely
Firmly structured; taut balance tending toward high acidity.
Stiff
Unyielding, closed; dumb.
Strong
Robust, powerful, big.
Structure
The way a wine is built; its composition and proportions.
Stuffing
Big, flavorful, full-bodied wines are said to have "stuffing."
Sturdy
Bold, vigorous flavor; full-bodied; robust.
Sulphur, SO2
An anti-oxidant used in making most wines; the fermentation process creates minute natural amounts.
Supple
Yielding in flavor; a wine that is readily accessible for current drinking.
Sweet
Usually indicates the presence of residual sugar, retained when grape sugar is not completely converted to alcohol. Even dry wines, however, may have an aroma of sweetness, the combination of intense fruit or ripeness. Considered a flaw if not properly balanced with acidity.
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