Finish
/ˈfɪnɪʃ/
In wine, “finish” refers to the flavors, aromas, and sensations that remain in the mouth and throat after the wine has been swallowed or spat out. It includes both how long these impressions last and how pleasant, balanced, and detailed they are, with a long, harmonious finish generally indicating higher quality.
Examples
- “This Pinot Noir has a long, silky finish with lingering cherry and subtle spice notes.”
- “The flavors are appealing at first, but the finish is short and slightly bitter.”
- “Notice how the oak shows mainly on the finish, adding vanilla and toast that persist after you swallow.”
Etymology
“Finish” in wine is a specialized use of the general English noun and verb “finish,” meaning the end or final stage of something. It comes from Middle English “fynisshen,” via Old French “finir” (to end) from Latin “finire,” ‘to set a boundary, to bring to an end,’ from “finis” (end, limit). The term was adopted into wine vocabulary in the late 19th and 20th centuries as tasting language became more formalized, paralleling concepts such as French “finale” or “persistance aromatique,” Italian “finale” or “retrogusto,” and Spanish “final de boca” or “postgusto.”