Glossary

Chalky

/CHAW-kee/

Dry, powdery tannin texture or mineral character.

Full Definition

Chalky describes either a fine, powdery tannin texture or mineral character evoking chalk soil. Chalky tannins are fine-grained and drying but not harsh. Chalky minerality suggests wines from chalk-based terroirs like Champagne or Jerez. Both usages are generally positive descriptors.

Related Terms

minerality tannin texture

See Also

champagne terroir

Chai Back to Glossary Champagne

Reference

More terms starting with C

Canopy Management

Techniques to control vine leaf and shoot growth.

Capsule

The foil or plastic covering over a wine bottle's cork.

Carbonic Maceration

Whole-grape fermentation in CO2, producing fruity wines.

Cava

Spanish sparkling wine made by traditional method.

Cellaring

Storing wine under proper conditions for aging.

Chai

French term for an above-ground wine storage building.