The following is a guide to aromas and flavors commonly found in wines, arranged alphabetically. Please feel free to make changes and additions in the comments section, and they will surely be added to the list.
Almond - Sweet almond notes (think marzipan) can be found in Pinot Grigio and other dry Italian white wines.
Anise – Some call it licorice, others anise; either way, this spicy element is found in red wines, particularly Old World reds (Rhone, Spain, Italy) and Zinfandel.
Apple – One of the most common fruit characteristics found in white wines. Abundant in Chardonnay and Riesling. Sometimes leaning toward tart green apple, other times toward Red Delicious.
Asparagus – Herbaceous is perhaps a nicer, similar term, but funky vegetal aromas reminiscent of canned asparagus are not uncommon in strong Sauvignon Blanc from California, as well as complex, high-end reds.
Bacon - Smoky/meaty aroma of bacon fat is typical in Syrah-based wines from the Rhone Valley, often in conjunction with dark fruit and spice.
Bell – pepper Green pepper aromas and flavors crop up in heavier red wines, notably Bordeaux blends based on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Franc by itself can be very bell-peppery.
Black currants - A classic note found in Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet-Merlot blends. Often present in conjunction with berry aromas and flavors.
Black pepper - Commonly found in full-flavored reds made from Syrah/Shiraz, Grenache, and/or Zinfandel. French Chateauneuf du Pape is a classic example.
Blackberries - A very common flavor and aroma in red wines from a variety of grapes and origins; frequently found in conjunction with strawberry/cherry flavors as well. May come across as jammy and ripe in New World red wine.
Brambly - Suggesting thorny bush fruits (blackberries, raspberries) of significant intensity; usually applied to full-bodied red Zinfandel.
Butter - Rich flavor and smoothness of texture akin to butter. More frequently found in whites than reds, especially Chardonnays that have undergone malolactic fermentation and/or barrel aging.
Candied fruit – candied version of fruit (as opposed to fresh or dried) is sometimes found in New World wines made from very ripe grapes. May suggest that some sugar may be left in the wine, even if it is technically dry.
Caramel - Also perceived as butterscotch and/or toffee, caramel aromas and flavors are typical of barrel-aged Chardonnays; a sign of richness. It can also be found in dessert wines such as Sherry and Port.
Cedar - An evolved aroma commonly found in aged red wine, especially Bordeaux-style blends, and sometimes alongside tobacco and cigar box scents.
Chemical - Some wines are decidedly un-fruity and emit aromas and flavors that suggest chemical substances such as petroleum (common in Riesling), sulfur, nail polish remover, rubber, or plastic.
Cherry - Very common red wine aroma and flavor. Find it in Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Syrah/Shiraz. May come across as a black cherry
Chocolate - Actual chocolate is never in wine, but big reds (Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot primarily) can give an impression of chocolate or cocoa based on their combination of dark fruit and wood. Think bakers chocolate.
Citrus - A common element in crisp dry white and sparkling wines, reminiscent of lemon, lime, tangerine, or grapefruit. A sure sign of bright, fresh, and tangy acidity. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc can be boisterously citrusy.
Clean - Fresh, pure, unflawed; applied to both nose and palate and suggests a simple, palatable wine. A clean, long finish is always a good thing.
Corked – Always a flaw! Corky or wet-cardboard aromas that get stronger as a wine is exposed to air indicate a wine with cork taint. If it happens in a restaurant, send the wine back.
Earthy - On the nose and/or palate, characteristics that suggest soil. A positive term, especially when applied to European wines, where it suggests complexity. Too much earthiness, however, can overwhelm. Earthy aromas may lean toward barnyard or forest floor. Mushroom can also be a description of an earthy character.
Flinty - A dry, stony/mineral aromatic quality found in European white wines like Chablis and Pouilly-Fume. Pencil is another common term used for flinty.
Floral - Usually an aromatic quality rather than a flavor. Scents of honeysuckle, jasmine, and orange blossoms are most often found in white wines made from delicate varieties like Riesling and Chenin Blanc. In reds you might find violets (Rhone blends) and rose petals (Italian Barolo).
Grapey - Surprisingly few wines actually smell like grapes. Notable exceptions include sweet kosher reds made from Concord grapes as well as Beaujolais Nouveau and Port.
Grassy - The sharp, pungent aroma of fresh-cut grass is common to Sauvignon Blanc.
Hazelnut - A sweetish aroma often found in white Burgundy and other Chardonnays that have been barrel-fermented, and in Champagne; a sign of depth and complexity.
Herbs - White wines, notably Sauvignon Blanc, are often redolent of fresh herbs (oregano, tarragon) and fresh-cut grass. Full-flavored Cabernet or Syrah wines lean toward mint and eucalyptus; reds from the southern Rhône Valley and Provence can be reminiscent of sage and thyme.
Honey - Characteristic of late-harvest dessert wines like Sauternes; also common in Gewurztraminer, which may be dry or sweet. Sweet wines made with Semillon may also have a honey character.
Hot - A wine whose alcohol is out of balance with other elements (fruit, acidity, tannin); can stick out aromatically and/or in the finish.
Jammy - Reminiscent of jam or cooked fruit. Especially ripe red grapes can yield flavors and aromas that suggest preserves or jam, as opposed to fresh or dried fruits. Excessively jammy wine might be called “cooked” or “stewed.”
Juicy - The term “juicy” is applied to wines whose combination of evident fruit and bright acidity leave a sense of palate-cleansing freshness.
Leather - A distinct, almost belt aroma most likely to appear in high-end Syrah/Shiraz or red Burgundy.
Mango – A tropical character, found largely in sweeter wines. Usually subtle in its fruity sweetness.
Melon - Suggestions of cantaloupe and honeydew may lurk where peach, apple, or pear is prominent; usually the sign of a juicy white wine.
Minerality - Most commonly found in European white wines, these aromas and flavors come from the soil and are reminiscent of chalk, slate, or iron. Good when subtle. Balances fruit flavor, producing a more complex wine.
Musty - Featuring stale, dusty aromas. Some European wines (Spanish Rioja) are slightly musty by design, but too much is not good. Some wines have an overabundant barnyard aroma, but this does not translate into a flavor.
Nutty - While almonds and hazelnuts can be found in young white wines, the term “nutty” is usually applied to older white wines, Champagne, Tawny Port, and Sherry.
Oak (aromas and flavors) – When barrels are used for aging wine before bottling, aromas of smoky/charred oak are imparted to the wine, usually more noticeable on the nose rather than the palate. New oak barrels tend to generate the most intense sense of oak. American oak and French oak produce different flavors.
Peach - This stone fruit is a fairly common aromatic and flavor component in Chardonnay, Riesling, Viognier, Albarino (Spain), and Moscato (Italy). Peachy wines usually taste fairly ripe, as opposed to lean.
Pear - Very close in character to apple and commonly found in Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Grigio.
Pencil lead – A complex aromatic peculiar to Bordeaux as it ages; may start to appear after 10 years or so.
Plum - Another common red wine aroma and flavor; typically associated with Merlot.
Raisin – Thick and sweet raisiny character largely found in Port wines.
Smoky - A variation on “oaky.” Smokiness is a sign that the barrels used to age a wine were predominantly new and/or heavily “toasted” (dried using fire) when they were made.
Spice - Having a character suggestive of spices, usually of the baking variety (cinnamon, clove, allspice, ginger) or black pepper (particularly Syrah/Shiraz.)
Steel - An almost metallic taste typical of dry European white wines high in acidity and minerality. Some admit they can taste “steel” in wines fermented in steel tanks (instead of oak barrels).
Strawberry - A fresh, vibrant red-berry character found widely in wines ranging from dry roses, Blanc de Noir and rose sparkling wines, and red wines, particularly Pinot Noir.
Sweet – The term “sweet” is obviously applied to wines that still contain significant residual sugar such as White Zinfandel and dessert wines. Also used to describe intensely ripe, jammy red wines.
Tropical fruit – Exotically fruity aromas and flavors reminiscent of pineapple, mango, lychee, coconut, and possibly banana. Serious Chardonnays from California and Australia can be much heavier in tropical fruit instead of apple and pear.
Vanilla - The distinct aroma of vanilla in wines, both red and white, comes from barrel aging. Common in Chardonnays and Bordeaux-style reds.
Vegetal - Suggestive of vegetables, particularly bell pepper or asparagus. Among red wines, Cabernet Franc can be aggressively vegetal. Overly pungent herbaceous/vegetal aromas are considered a positive characteristic.
Vinegary - Having the smell of vinegar. A sure (and bad) sign that the wine has “turned” and has gone bad.
Woodsy - Aroma akin to earthy, specifically suggesting a forest or wet leaves; a positive aroma when found in red wines, notably Burgundy and Pinot Noir.
Yeasty – Yeasts (natural or lab-made) induce fermentation when they come into contact with sugary grapes. Wines can smell/taste yeasty when the yeast cells are given extra time in the wine, as in barrel-fermented Chardonnay and Champagne.
