Have you ever been out having dinner with friends...

...with a glass in hand, and overhearing conversations about wine like, “This has nice tannins , but the bouquet is a bit closed”? And there you are, smiling and nodding, while inside you think, “What are they talking about?”

Don't worry: we've all been there. Talking about wine may seem like a matter for experts, but knowing a few basic terms is enough to get into the game and... instantly seem more on top of things (even if it's just your first sip!).

Here are 10 simple words , explained clearly and without too many frills, to help you understand and express your opinion with a bit of style.

1. Grape variety

It's the type of grape used to make wine. It's a bit like the type of wheat used to make pasta. Some famous varietals? Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Chardonnay . When someone says, "This is a Merlot," they're saying the wine is made with Merlot grapes.

2nd Vintage

The year the grapes were harvested . Don't confuse this with the year the wine was bottled. If a wine is from 2019, it means the grapes were harvested that year. Vintages influence the taste, because the climate changes every year.

3. Name

A sort of wine ID card , guaranteeing its provenance and quality. In Italy, acronyms like DOC, DOCG, and IGT are used . The richer the acronym, the more stringent the regulations.

4. Fermentation

The process by which grape juice becomes wine , thanks to yeasts that convert sugar into alcohol. It's important to know that this is the moment when the must (grape juice) "comes to life."

5. Refinement

The time a wine spends maturing to improve. This often happens in barrels or bottles. If you hear the term "barrique-aged," it means it's been in small oak barrels .

6. Tannin

Substances present in the skin of red grapes . They give that "dry" and slightly rough sensation in the mouth. More tannin = more structure.

7. Bouquet

The complex aroma of wine , which develops over time. The more well-aged a wine is, the more aromas you can detect: fruit, spice, leather, vanilla ...

8. Body

The "presence" of the wine in the mouth. A full-bodied wine is full, rounded, almost chewy. A lighter wine slides easily. It's just a question of style!

9. Dry / Sweet

They indicate how much sugar is left in the wine. Dry wines have no residual sugar. Sweet wines, like Moscato or Passito , are perfect at the end of a meal.

10. Aftertaste

The flavor that lingers in your mouth after drinking. If it's pleasant and lingering, the wine is of good quality. A pleasant aftertaste makes you want another sip.

Conclusion

You don't need to be a sommelier to talk about wine. A few clear concepts and a pinch of curiosity are all you need.

Next time you find yourself toasting, try using one of these terms. Even just saying "it has a nice body" or "I smell a fruity aftertaste" will make you seem more in the game.

Cheers!