Liquor Glossary

If you are new to liquors, you may be wondering what some of the common terms you find in wine descriptions mean. Once you understand what these terms mean, you will find that it’s easier to select something based on your individual tastes and preferences. In this handy glossary, we explain what some of the terms commonly used in liquor descriptions mean.

Acidity

Acidity refers to the tartness of a wine, and one way to think about it is to compare the experience to drinking a glass of lemonade. How refreshing is the liquor, and does it make you want to take another sip? A crisp, fresh or bright wine has high acidity, and although this is more typical of white wines, some red wines can have high acidity as well.

Body

Liquor can either be full-bodied, light-bodied, or medium-bodied. What this refers to is the richness and the “weight” of the wine in your mouth. Using milk as a reference, you would say that semi-skimmed milk is lighter-bodied than whole milk, although, of course, there are many more factors that determine the body of liquor.

One rule of thumb is that the higher the alcohol content, the more viscous the liquor and therefore, the heavier its body. Liquor with an alcohol content below 12.5% is considered light-bodied, medium-bodied wines have a percentage between 12.5% and 13.5%, with anything higher being heavy-bodied.

Bouquet

Bouquet is a term generally used to refer to the aromas produced by a wine after it has had the chance to age. These secondary aromas are produced over time and can be a complex mix you would not expect in unaged wine.

Finish

Finish refers to the aftertaste the liquor leaves in your mouth and how long you can expect this taste to linger. A longer finish allows you to enjoy the wine for longer, whereas a short finish can leave you unsatisfied and having to drink more to get the same effect.

Tannin

Tannin is found most commonly in red wines and adds bitterness to the flavor. Occurring naturally in plants, seeds, and fruit skins, the tannin in liquor is derived from the skin, pips, stems, and juice of the grapes used to produce the wine. Color and tannins are released as the alcohol production takes place and because white wines are fermented by minimizing contact with the grapes, you will find that red wines have a higher tannin level.

Browse Our Online Shop at Liquor Stars for a Full Range of Wines

Regardless of your specific requirements and preferences when it comes to wine, you can find what you are looking for at Liquor Stars. We stock a mix of reds, whites as well as champagnes to suit your individual tastes. In addition, you can also find a selection of vodkas, tequilas, rums, whiskeys, seltzers, cognacs, and more in our online shop. We welcome you to contact us today if you would like a recommendation based on your preferences in acidity, body, finish, and/or tannin.