Fruity

Generous, notably fruity style typically as a result of warm conditions and plenty of sunshine hours. In conjunction with 'light' or 'delicate' this can mean an early-drinking style of wine; in conjunction with 'rich' or 'structure' the wine might need more time in bottle to show its full potential.

Delicate

Finely structured with an elegant balance of tannins, acidity and fruit. Subtlety and precision are more in evidence than power and weight, but not lacking in concentration or character.

Floral

Wine displays high-toned characters reminiscent of fresh flowers and blossom. Typically white flowers (jasmine, honeysuckle) in white wines and headier, musky flowers (violets, roses) in red wines.

Light

Predominantly for red wines driven by freshness rather than structure, featuring red fruit tones rather than black. Often best served lightly chilled and perfect for lunchtimes.

Mineral

Think mineral water rather than actual rocks, this is evidence of a wine 'translating' the site it is grown on. Wines with distinctive wet stone aromas and drying, chalk- or slate-like characters on the palate.

Rich

Relating to texture as much as to flavour, the sensation of richness in reds comes from smooth, supple tannins and in whites from broad, mouthcoating flavours with a ripe, seamless fruit character.

Structure

Typically (although not exclusively) relating to wines with a firm frame of tannins which can shroud fruit in youth – but with the benefit of decanting can provide a fabulous, broad and complex experience.

Tropical

Evidence of growing in a warm, benevolent climate, this is generally used for white wines which show generous, sunny fruit characters such as mango, passion fruit, pineapple and the like.

Zesty

Reflective of citrus characters in a wine, such as lemon, lime and grapefruit in whites or mandarin, orange or orange peel typically in lighter, aromatic reds. Often works well alongside tropical!