crisp
KRISP
/krɪsp/
Describing a wine, usually white or sparkling, that is pleasingly fresh, clean, and noticeably high in refreshing acidity.
Connotes pleasant, lively tartness like biting into a fresh green apple.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'crispus' (curly or wavy). In Middle English, it referred to crunchy or brittle textures, and eventually expanded to mean clean, fresh, snappy sensations in food and beverage sensory tasting.
Word relationships
- brisk: 'Brisk' implies sharp cold weather or movement; 'crisp' emphasizes refreshing sensory tartness.
- flat: 'Flat' describes wine lacking acidity or sparkling bubbles.
Commonly confused with
- brittle: Brittle means easily broken physical solid; crisp in wine means refreshingly acidic.
Word family
- crispness (noun): The quality of being fresh, firm, and lively.
Collocations
- crisp white wine
- crisp acidity
- refreshing and crisp
- crisp finish
Example sentences
- "A crisp Sauvignon Blanc with bright citrus notes is the perfect match for fresh seafood." Summer Pairing
Memory hook
Crisp like a fresh green apple snappy bite. Fresh, bright, and clean.
When not to use
Do not use to describe heavy, low-acid, oak-aged red wines.
Fun facts
- Crisp wines are ideal palate cleansers because high acidity naturally cuts through rich, oily dishes.
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