Body

/BOD-ee/

The weight and fullness of wine on the palate.

Full Definition

Body describes how heavy or light a wine feels in the mouth, influenced by alcohol, extract, glycerol, and sugar content. Light-bodied wines (Muscadet, Riesling) feel like skim milk; medium-bodied (Burgundy, Chianti) like whole milk; full-bodied (Amarone, Napa Cabernet) like cream. Body doesn't indicate quality.

Related Terms

weight mouthfeel texture

See Also

alcohol extract

Bodega Back to Glossary Bordeaux

More terms starting with B

Balance

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

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.