If you’ve been reading wine descriptions, you’ve no doubt come across terms like ‘the wine has a long finish’ or ‘lingering finish’. But what is finish in wine? And how does it change your experience of enjoying wine? This wine term is used quite often, and interchangeably with length, so understand exactly what it means will help you get back to enjoying the wine in your glass!
What is finish in wine?
Finish is an interesting wine term as it is quite subjective. It refers to the lasting impression of the wine, which is made up of a few interchangeable components. But think of it as the very last flavour or textural sensation left in your mouth after you swallow or spit the wine.
Finish in wine can be described very similarly to texture in wine. Some examples of terms for finish could be spicy, mineral, savoury, sweet, bitter, hot, rich.
However, where it gets confusing is that finish isn’t just about texture. It’s about the lasting impression. Some wines will be more memorable or the textures will last longer in your mouth. This is why long finishes are often equated with quality wine. Sometimes a wine can be really tasty upfront, but then fade away quickly. More memorable wines tend to linger long after you’ve taken a sip.
How do winemakers impact finish
Every single wine you try will have a finish, some just won’t be as memorable or as pleasant as others. And as it is a result of a number of components of the wine coming together from the grapes and vintage conditions to winemaking decisions and aging decision, there isn’t an exact forumala to creating a long finish.
Factors such as acidity, tannins and alcohol all contribute to the finish of the wine. Acidity can give a wine a nice, crisp finish, and tannins helps add texture to a finish. Alcohol can also give a spicy tingle to the finish. Then you have the fruit and characteristics of the wine, i.e. the flavours. These flavours can persist long after you take a sip.
How does it relate to length?
Often finish and length are used interchangeably, and they are somewhat related. Length is all about how long characteristics of the wine linger after you have a sip (or spit). This is measured in short, medium and long. Length is a part of how finish is described, and so a longer finish is generally seen as indicating higher quality.
However this isn’t always the case, as some wines having a shorter finish that’s crisp and refreshing suit the style of the wine. So it really just depends on what you are drinking.
In summary: is it a good thing?
As with most terms, finish is again something that is neither good or bad, and quite subjective. With finish you are looking at whether you enjoy the textures and characteristics of the wine and how they linger on your palate. Some wines aren’t designed to linger, so saying they have a short finish doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. And conversely, you could have a long finish, but if the flavours aren’t nice, this isn’t always a good thing. Understanding what goes into finish helps you to decide this for yourself when you are sipping!