Have you tried a rustic wine before? It seems odd to find in your wine glass, but it’s a tasting note you will find with some wines. So what is a rustic wine, and is it a good thing? Wine Terms Explained unpacks some of the weird wine terms used to describe wine. There are some truly odd ones out there, and sometimes it can be hard to know what the tasting notes even mean. These guides break down the wine terms so that you can get back to enjoying wine!
What is a rustic wine?
Much like the term rustic being used to describe home decorating, a rustic wine can be described as hearty, earthy or rough-edged. This is more of a way to describe a wine’s personality rather than the flavours or aroma of a wine. It can also be used to describe the tannins in a wine being chewy or coarse.
Is it a good thing?
Rustic isn’t necessarily a good or bad thing. If you look at the opposite of a rustic wine you would think it would be refined, elegant or smooth. So if you prefer your wines to be on the softer side, rustic might not be for you. It also depends on what you’re drinking. For example, if you’re enjoying an expensive Burgundy you wouldn’t want it to be coarse or chewy, so you’d expect it not to be rustic.
However, if you are after a heartwarming, charming wine, a touch of rustic can be a great thing! Many wines described as rustic are great for everyday drinking and pure enjoyment with your meal. They can evoke a hint of nostalgia and are meant for simple pleasures.
In summary
Whether you like this tasting note or not really comes down to personal preference, and likely what you are enjoying at the time. There is a time and place for these wines, and they can be great for those times when you just want something delicious and easy drinking. But if you’re drinking something that should be smooth and refined, you may not want it in your glass. So really it just comes down to what and when you’re drinking. There’s nothing wrong with a rustic wine!