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Vinismo:Taste classification

From Vinismo

Taste classification has been a new trend in wine guides for nearly twenty years. It is a modern, democratic, newbie-friendly way to choose a wine, rather than resorting to its geographic origin or varietal composition which require a certain amount of knowledge.

Taste classification is growingly used in emerging markets such as United States and Canada. Countries with a long wine tradition like France almost never use it.

Here's the question: should Vinismo use such a tool, in parallel with other wine-searching tools like geographic origin or varietal blend ? It would add another paramater when searching for a wine in Vinismo - and it would be requested when adding a new wine page, like its other important informations.

edit Things to know about taste classification

There is no standard taste classification system. It seems like every wine seller has its own. Some distinguish 8 or 9 categories, others just have three (light-bodied, medium-bodied, full-bodied).

The two most interesting systems we found until now are the ones used by the Société des Alcools du Québec (SAQ) and BestCellars.com - see below for details.

Please help us define the perfect taste classification system for Vinismo by adding your own ideas on this page. If you find another nice taste classification system from anywhere on the Web or in wine stores, feel free to reproduce it below for inspiration.

edit SAQ classification

Quebec national wine store chain, Société des Alcools du Québec, is growingly using the following system in its stores around the province (this is a translation from French; maybe other English words would be more appropriate).

• White wines:

White tag: delicate and light (délicat et léger)

Yellow tag: fruity and lively (fruité et vif)

Blue tag: aromatic and round (aromatique et rond)

Green tag: fruity and sweet (fruité et doux)

• Red wines:

Pink tag: fruity and light (fruité et léger)

Yellow tag: fruity and generous (fruité et généreux)

Light-red tag: aromatic and flexible (fruité et souple)

Dark-red tag: aromatic and fleshy (aromatique et charnu)

edit BestCellars.com classification

BestCellars.com uses eight categories, independent of wine color, placed along a scale of power or character:

1. Fizzy (blue tag)
2. Fresh (green tag)
3. Soft (yellow tag)
4. Luscious (orange tag)
5. Juicy (light-red tag)
6. Smooth (dark-red tag)
7. Big (purple tag)
8. Sweet (pink tag)