Designation for grape varieties that have a particularly distinctive floral to spicy, very typical aroma. Some of the significant aromatic substances are already present in the berries (primary aromas) or are formed during grape processing or during/after fermentation(secondary aromas). Although they are only present in small quantities, they have a very intense odour and taste and are therefore relatively easy to identify, even for laypeople.
The typical flavourings of these varieties include terpenes (monoterpenes), methoxypyrazines (pyrazines) and thiols (mercaptans). Varieties characterised by terpenes (with 1 to 4 mg/l) are Muskateller varieties, Muskat-Ottonel, Morio-Muskat and Traminer (especially the Gewürztraminer variety) with primary and secondary aromas. These often have characteristic, varietal notes, namely musky, muscat and rose (floral) flavours. The varieties Bacchus, Sauvignon Blanc and Scheurebe are characterised by pyrazines and thiols with secondary aromas.
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Thorsten Rahn
Restaurantleiter, Sommelier, Weindozent und Autor; Dresden