The Taste Chart
Wine is complex, but so is your palate. Armed with our simple system you’ll be set to sip, select and savour all wines on a deeper, tastier level.
Visit Wine 101 to watch video tutorials on our classification system.
CRISP
You know that juicy, fresh burst of flavour you get from biting into a green apple? That’s what these wines are like. Light, happy and refreshing.
The Grape
Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Albarino
The Regions
Ontario, Northern France, Italy, New Zealand
The Secret
The grape is high acid, the climate cool. Add in pebbly, mineral-rich soil and you’ve got crisp magic.
Just like:
Granny Smith Apple
MELLOW
Just like jazz baby, it’s smooth all the way. Medium-bodied, balanced soul. Blissed out and relaxed.
The Grape
Pinot Gris, Viognier, Grüner Veltliner
The Regions
Grown and crushed the world over
The Secret
When acidity and fruitiness come together like this they make pure, pure peace.
Just like:
Melon
LUSH
Rich, deep and full-bodied. Like a plush velour throw on a cool winter’s night. This wine comforts with joy.
The Grape
Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, White Burgundy
The Regions
California, Australia
The Secret
Thick flesh grapes, warm to hot climates, no to low acidity and some oaky infusion. Put it all together and you get creamy smooth goodness.
Just like:
Honey
VIBRANT
It can be delicate. It can be powerful. It can be a symphony of delight for your palate . Vibrant wines sing with excitement.
The Grape
Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Tempranillo
The Regions
Burgundy, Tuscany, Spain
The Secret
Bright acidity along with ripe tannins, grown in a cooler climate with thinner skin grapes. A recipe for brilliance.
Just Like a:
Dark Cherry and Raspberry
SMOOTH
With sweet fruit and soft tannins, these wines are the smoothest of operators. Imagine a big, soft, cozy, perfectly broken in leather chair – yup, that smooth.
The Grape
Merlot, Grenache, Malbec
The Regions
Grown and crushed the world over
The Secret
It’s all in the grapes. Fleshy with velvety soft tannins is the secret to this wine’s success.
Just Like a:
Blueberry
BOLD
Intense and uncompromising. Strong tannins. Assertive flavours. A bully that will win you over in one sip.
The Grape
Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon
The Regions
Napa, Bordeaux, Piedmonte
The Secret
Round of applause to the soils and sunshine that give this wine its spicy flavours and the winemakers for cranking up the volume. These grapes are picked only at peak ripeness.
Just like:
Plum
BUBBLES
Sometimes it's bright and light. Other bottles are rich and deep. One thing is for certain, it’s always a contained explosion waiting to go off at just the right moment.
The Grape
Local blends, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
The Regions
Grown and crushed the world over. Especially in Champagne!
The Secret
Low temperatures and CO2 bubbles emphasize the brightness, making it oh so refreshing and fun.
Just like:
Bubbles
SWEET
You taste the sun in every glass. Sweet rays and concentration give this wine a warm heart. A classic with dessert or as dessert – and who doesn’t love dessert?
The Grape
Really ripe: Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling
The Regions
Grown, concentrated and crushed the world over.Especially in Ontario, Sauternes and Alsace
The Secret
While the sun may be hot and sweltering, the grape keeps its composure and maintains its acidity.
Just like:
Candy
