Minerality

/min-er-AL-ih-tee/

Aromas or flavors suggesting stones or minerals.

Full Definition

Minerality describes wine characteristics evoking wet stones, chalk, flint, slate, or other mineral-like qualities. It's debated whether these come from soil minerals (largely disproven), fermentation compounds, or reduction. Commonly noted in Chablis, German Riesling, and Santorini Assyrtiko. The term remains popular despite scientific skepticism.

Related Terms

flinty stony chalky

See Also

terroir reduction

Mineral Back to Glossary Monopole

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