Wine A to Z

Neutral

A wine lacking distinctive or recognisable flavour and/or character. A common descriptor of ordinary blended wines.

New oak

A term used to indicate barrels that are brand new.

Noble

A well-crafted wine, usually made from “aristocratic” grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Riesling etc. Such wines impress through subtlety and grace and would naturally be overlooked in wine-shows.

Noble rot

See Botrytis

Nose

The characteristics of a wine that can be detected when you smell it, including aroma and bouquet.