There are some seriously weird wine terms out there – but what do they mean? And should you care? In Wine Terms Explained, we explore some of those terms used to describe wine and what they mean, so you can decide for yourself! This week we are looking at a term that is contentious even for the wine industry – wet stone in wine.
Along with other words like flint, slate, graphite, wet stone in wine gets used a lot to describe certain types of wines. It often falls into a catch-all of ‘minerality’. But would you want to taste a wet stone? And would it even be good to have this as a taste in your wine? Let’s dive into what wet stone means, and whether it is a good thing.
What is wet stone in wine?
Wet stone in wine is used interchangeably with Minerality to describe a particular aroma or flavour. Think of crushed stones, rocks or wet cement. These aromas are sometimes used to describe wine, although aren’t always easy to explain, and are often not a common taste. However, they are usually used to positively describe a wine and tend to be coupled with high acidity.
These aromas or flavours are often used to describe wines grown in mineral-rich, stony soils. Some use them to indicate the terroir that the wine is grown in. However, this is hotly debated in the wine community, as there is no chemical evidence that shows a mineral aroma or flavour being related to minerals or nutrients in the soil. So really, it is a mystery as to where this wet stone aroma or flavour comes from.
Regardless of where it comes from, many tasters do find minerality or wet stones in wine. And wine is all about what you taste, regardless of where it comes from!
Where you’ll find it
Wet stones in wine is a very common tasting note in white wines and often is paired with high acidity. However, it can also be found in some rich, full-bodied reds such as those from Priorat in Catalonia, Spain, or in southern France and Côte Rôtie in the northern Rhône valley.
So what wines will you commonly find wet stone notes in?
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Some Chardonnay (think Chablis)
- Rieslings
These wines often carry a higher acidity. As the jury is still out on whether the terroir makes an impact, are often your best bet for finding these notes.
So is wet stones in wine a good thing?
Regardless of the science behind this tasting note, there are still plenty of wine lovers who use this term. Whether it is a good thing or not is purely down to personal preference. Minerality can be a great accompaniment to high acidity, and so shouldn’t be something you avoid. So next time you’re trying a high acid white, see if you can find those wet stone notes, and decide for yourself!