Ripe

/RYPE/

👃Tasting 🍇Viticulture

Fully mature fruit character in grapes or wine.

Full Definition

Ripe describes optimal grape maturity - sugars developed, acids balanced, tannins polymerized, flavors full. In tasting, it indicates generous, developed fruit without green or underripe notes. Overripe grapes lose acidity and freshness. 'Physiological ripeness' considers tannin and flavor, not just sugar.

Related Terms

overripe underripe harvest

See Also

brix phenolic ripeness

Right Bank Back to Glossary Robust

More terms starting with R

Racking

Transferring wine off its sediment.

Racy

Wine with vibrant, energetic acidity.

Reduction

Sulfur compounds from lack of oxygen, creating off-odors.

Remuage

Gradually rotating sparkling wine bottles to collect sediment.

Reserve

A designation suggesting higher quality or longer aging.

Residual Sugar

Sugar remaining in wine after fermentation.