Have you ever heard a wine described as meaty? It seems like a weird thing to find in your wine glass. But what is a meaty wine, and is it a good thing?
In Wine Terms Explained, we dive into those odd wine terms and what they actually mean. There are so many terms used to describe wine, but it can be hard to know what they actually are. By understanding them, you’ll be able to get back to the good stuff – drinking good wine! In this article, we’ll look at the question: what is a meaty wine? Where you find it, what it means and whether it is a good thing.
What is a meaty wine?
When looking at what a meaty wine is, it can mean one of two things. This is where the confusion begins. Meaty can be both an aroma or taste, or it can refer to a wine’s body (learn about wine body in this article). However, a particular wine can also have both of these things in one!
Meaty as an aroma or texture means simply that the wine smells or tastes like fleshy or animal elements. These can appear in the aroma when you smell the wine, or on the palate. Think of the earthy and pungent barnyard smells, or even notes of what you smell when you have sausages, cured meats or salami. The jury is out on where this comes from: some say it is from the terroir, others say it is due to the winemaking process or aging.
The other element to meaty wine is to do with the texture and body. When a wine is described as meaty, it is usually full-bodied. This means it has a big feeling in the mouth, is slightly chewy and heavy on the tongue. If you can imagine drinking milk and that mouth-filling feeling you get with that, you then know what a meaty wine will feel like. The wine coats your mouth and makes it feel dry.
Where you’ll find meaty wine
So where will you find it? Meaty wines are usually connected to full-bodied reds, but can sometimes be used to describe oaked white wines.
If you are on the hunt for this flavour or texture, look out for these varieties:
- Shiraz/Syrah
- Zinfandel
- Malbec
- Mourvedre
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Some full-bodied Chardonnay
- Aged Pinot Noir
Not all of these wines will always have a meaty note, but as a general rule lookout for wines with higher alcohol by volume. The higher alcohol content creates richness, thickness and weight on the palate.
In summary: Is it a good thing?
As with many of these weird wine terms, it all comes down to personal preference. You might love big and bold reds or oaked Chardonnays, and in this case, you are likely to love this flavour or texture. But if you like wines that are lighter with higher acidity and fresh and floral notes, these wines may not be for you. Wine is subjective and you should drink what you love to drink! So I hope this guide is useful in helping you decide which wines you should be seeking out! The next time you see a wine described like this, you’ll know what it means.