There are some weird wine terms out there, like very weird wine terms. They make it really hard to understand and really get into wine. So in Wine Terms Explained, we unpack these weird wine terms to break down the barriers to getting into wine. In this article, we’re diving into what is a round wine? You may have heard of wine being described as round, or rounded. But what on earth does that mean? In this article, we’ll look at just that, along with what causes it and where you might find it.
What is a round wine?
When looking at the question: what is a round wine? It is not about the shape of the wine, or the flavour really.
Round describes a wine with a smooth texture and finish, not course or tannic (learn more about wine texture here).
Some other terms that are similar to this are plush, velvet, creamy, buttery, and soft. You get the idea. All these terms can be used to describe the smoothness of a wine.
As roundness in wine is a texture, it is more of a perception of roundness or a round sensation in the mouth during tasting. This is why it can sometimes also be linked to another weird wine term: fattiness.
What is roundness caused by?
A round wine can be caused by many different things, and it can get quite complicated. It can be factors, substances and elements developed usually during wine production and ageing. Here is a high-level view of some of the factors that can cause a roundness in wine.
- Substances added to or produced due to fermentation: sugar, alcohol, polyols and glycerol in particular
- Use of oak barrels and the type, toast and age of the barrel
- How long the wine has been aged and the impact of oxygen on ageing
One of the most common ways wine can become round is using malolactic fermentation where malic acid is converted into lactic acid, making the wine softer and rounder. The longer the wine is aged in wood, the more round it is likely to be.
Typically, wines that are higher in alcohol with low acidity tend to be rounder than young wines with high acidity. If the wine has too little acid and too high alcohol, it can become flat instead of rounded. So too much roundness isn’t always a good thing!
Where you might find it
There aren’t particular grape varieties that create a round wine as this tends to come from winemaking and aging. However, two wines that are well known for rounded characteristics are Chardonnay and Merlot. If you think of Chardonnay which is oaked and its buttery, creamy characteristics, it’s a great example of rounded wine. Merlot is also often used in blends to add roundness to the wine and contribute to balance.
As a general rule, if you’re looking for rounded white wine, look for those that have been aged in oak. With Malolactic Fermentation in place, you are most likely to get rounded flavours. The opposite is those fermented in stainless steel with high acidity like Sauvignon Blanc.
For red wine, it is a little tougher. As a general rule, look for wines that have been aged in oak and are a little older, with low tannin and low acidity. High alcohol reds will also be more likely to deliver roundness.
There are a couple of varieties that don’t do well with too much roundness as they lose their character with too much of it. These include Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.
Whether you like roundness or not, it all comes down to personal preference. Now that you know what a round wine is, hopefully, you’ll be able to work out whether it’s something you’re interested in. Really it all comes down to balance. You need enough acidity in the wine to lift it up, so too much roundness isn’t always a good thing. But in the right amount, it can really add to the flavour profile and complexity of a wine.