Nose

/NOHZ/

The overall aromatic character of wine.

Full Definition

Nose refers to all aromatic characteristics detected by smelling wine, encompassing both aroma (varietal character) and bouquet (fermentation and aging character). 'On the nose' describes what's smelled vs. tasted. A wine's nose can be aromatic, closed, expressive, subtle, or complex. Professional tasters evaluate nose before palate.

Related Terms

aroma bouquet olfactory

See Also

tasting primary aromas

Non-Vintage Back to Glossary Nutty

More terms starting with N

Natural Wine

Wine made with minimal intervention and additives.

Negociant

A merchant who buys grapes or wine to blend and sell.

New Oak

Barrels being used for the first time.

New World

Wine regions outside traditional European areas.

Noble Rot

Beneficial fungus (Botrytis cinerea) for sweet wines.

Native Yeast

Wild yeast found naturally in vineyard or winery.