Delicate

/DEL-ih-kit/

Subtle, refined wine with light body.

Full Definition

Delicate describes wines with subtle, fine, understated character rather than power or intensity. Delicate wines require attention to appreciate their nuance. Champagne, Burgundy, Riesling, and Pinot Noir often show delicacy. The opposite of powerful, bold, or big. A positive quality when intentional.

Related Terms

subtle fine elegant

See Also

light bodied finesse

Delestage Back to Glossary Demi-Sec

More terms starting with D

Decanting

Pouring wine into another vessel for aeration or sediment removal.

Delestage

Rack-and-return technique for gentle extraction.

Demi-Sec

Medium-sweet sparkling wine.

Density

In tasting, the concentration of a wine; in viticulture, vine spacing.

Depth

Layers of flavor that reveal themselves over time.

Disgorgement

Removing sediment from sparkling wine after secondary fermentation.