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- Salty:
- One of the basic taste sensations detected by the receptors in the human
tongue.
- Sediment:
- Solid matter that settles at the bottom of a liquid.
- Sharp:
- Excess acid predominates, disturbing the otherwise balanced flavors (see
also crisp, hard).
- Short:
- Tasting term used to indicate a wine with little aftertaste.
- Silky:
- Tasting term used to indicate a voluptuous, smooth texture in the mouth.
- Simple:
- Normal, everyday, well-vinified table wine of straightforward character.
- Smoke / Smoky:
- Apparently has two meanings:
– Some use the word in the same sense as the smell/flavor that separates
smoked (anything) from ordinary (anything).
– Refers to aroma contributed by the charred oakwood in barrels. It can
have a variety of impressions . Needs a variant, such as "wood-smoke" or
"barbecue smoke" or "sooty" to fully convey the meaning.
- Soft:
- Generally has low acid / tannin content. Also describes wines with low alcohol
content. Consequently has little impact on the palate (see also light).
- Sour:
- Almost a synonym for acidic. Implies presence of acetic acid plus excess
acid component (see also crisp, sharp).
- Spicy:
- Almost a synonym for "peppery". Implies a softer, more rounded flavor nuance
however.
- Spritzy:
- Considered a fairly minor fault stemming sometimes from the onset of a brief
secondary malolactic fermentation in the bottle. Consists of pinpoint carbonation
typically released when the bottle cork is pulled. Frowned on more if occurring
in white wines vinified to be dry (see also lively, petillant).
- Stale:
- Wine with lifeless, stagnant qualities. Usually found in wines that were
kept in large vessel storage for an excessive length of time (see also tanky).
- Stalky:
- Tasting term indicating a woody, slightly raw taste.
- Stoney / Stonelike:
- Describes a _set_ of perceptions that seem to indicate a relatively young
white wine fermented from ripe, but not overly so, grapes under cold fermentation
conditions. High acidity coupled with a tactile, mouth-filling sensation that
has a cleanly "earthy" flavor characterize this type of wine (see also flint
/ flinty).
- Straw-colored:
- A delicate brownish-yellow color.
- Structure:
- Term for overall flavor. Used to suggest complete impression of the wine.
Needs a modifier in order to mean something.
- Stylish:
- The style is distinctive and characteristic of the grape(s) used. Carries
a connotation of briskness or jauntiness (see also lively).
- Supple:
- Term often used for young reds which should be more aggressive. More lively
than an easy wine with suggestions of good quality. The near synonym "amiable"
is also sometimes employed but does not quite emphasize the extra connotation
of "leanness" implied.
- Sweet:
- Refers to one of the four basic tastes detected by the sensory nerves of
the human tongue. In the description of wine taste-flavor the term "sweet"
is almost always used as an identifier denoting the presence of residual sugar
and/or glycerin. Wine aromas require a descriptive term to identify the source
of the perceived sensation (see also cloying, rich, ripe).
