The technical language of wine enjoyment
How do you "speak" wine?
Why do we need a
technical language for wineenjoyment?
Wine is more than just a drink – it is culture, passion and craftsmanship. But anyone who takes a closer look at wine quickly encounters a world of its own full of terms that often sound puzzling to outsiders. From “tannin structure” and “terroir” to “rich in extract” – the technical language of wine is not only used for communication between experts, but also for more conscious enjoyment. But why do we even need technical language when it comes to enjoying wine? And what distinguishes the language of winemakers from that of wine schools?
The video!
Andreas Muster in conversation with Armin Tement
About the question “Why do you need a technical language when drinking wine?” How do I speak wine? There is the technical language of winemakers and the technical language of wine schools. What are the differences between them and when are they used?
The languages of wine
Good to know!
for technology and practice
Winemakers have a very technical jargon that focuses heavily on cultivation, winemaking and cellar management. It is less about the sensory description of a wine and more about everything that happens behind the scenes.
Typical terms from the language of winegrowers:
- Must weight – sugar content of the grape must, an indicator of ripeness.
- pH value – Indicates the acidity structure of the wine, important for stability and freshness.
- Biological acid degradation – A process in which the hard malic acid is converted into milder lactic acid.
- Mash fermentation – Fermentation with the grape skins, typical for red wine.
- Spontaneous fermentation – Fermentation with natural yeasts without the addition of pure yeasts.
These terms are used in practice by winemakers, cellar masters and oenologists to talk about the production and development of a wine. This language is often incomprehensible to the average wine lover – it is intended more for professionals who work directly with the product.</p
Pleasure and sensory experience
The technical language of wine schools, which focuses on describing the flavour and quality of a wine in sensory terms, is completely different. This language helps sommeliers, wine consultants and connoisseurs to classify and communicate the flavours, structure and character of a wine.
Typical terms from the wine school:
-
- Bouquet or bouquet – The aroma of a wine, e.g. fruity, floral or spicy
.
- Tannins – Tannins in wine that provide structure and shelf life.
- Minerality – A flavour impression, often compared to chalk, salt or flint.
- Body – Indicates how full-bodied or light a wine is on the palate.
- Finish – The length of flavour that remains after swallowing.
These terms are used to describe and compare wines in an understandable way. They are helpful for wine lovers to recognise their own preferences and select wines specifically.</p
When is which language used?
The vintner’s language is mainly used in conversations between experts, wine producers, oenologists and cellar masters. It is used to evaluate technical processes and quality characteristics during production.
The wine school language, on the other hand, is used at tastings, in restaurants and in the wine trade to make wines understandable for end consumers. Sommeliers and wine consultants use these terms to summarise wines in words and provide orientation for guests.</p
How can I learn to "speak" wine?
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- Tasting wine consciously – recognising aromas and tasting differences
.
-
- Make comparisons – Taste several wines side by side and recognise differences in fruit, acidity, tannin and body.
- Read wine descriptions – Labels, wine guides and tasting notes help you familiarise yourself with the language.
- Visit Wine Tastings – Learn from professionals and familiarise yourself with new terms.
- Keep your own wine diary – Make notes on wines to sharpen your own sense of taste
.
Wine is poetry in bottles.
Listen to your glass - it has a lot to tell!
Conclusion: technical language makes enjoyment more conscious
The technical language of wine is not an unnecessary frill, but an important guide that helps to understand, select and enjoy wine in a more targeted way. While the language of winemakers is focussed on technical processes, the language of wine schools serves to put sensory experiences into words.
Whether you simply enjoy wine or want to delve deeper into the subject – the more you talk about wine, the more consciously you enjoy it.
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