Glossary

Balance

/BAL-uhns/

Harmony between wine components: fruit, acid, tannin, alcohol.

Full Definition

Balance describes a wine where no single element dominates. Acidity, sweetness, tannin, alcohol, and fruit intensity should complement each other. A balanced wine feels harmonious and complete. Balance can exist at any quality level and is often considered the most important criterion in wine evaluation.

Related Terms

harmony structure integration

See Also

acidity tannin alcohol

Baked Back to Glossary Balsamic

Reference

More terms starting with B

Barrel

Wooden container used for fermenting and aging wine.

Barrique

A 225-liter oak barrel, the Bordeaux standard.

Batonnage

Stirring wine on its lees to add texture and complexity.

Biodynamic

Holistic farming approach following Rudolf Steiner's principles.

Bite

A sharp, acidic sensation in wine.

Blanc de Blancs

White wine made exclusively from white grapes, typically Chardonnay.