finish
FIN-ish
/ˈfɪn.ɪʃ/
The lingering impression, flavor, and texture left on the palate after swallowing or spitting wine.
A long, pleasant finish is considered one of the primary marks of fine wine quality.
The story behind the word. From Old French 'finiss-', stem of 'finir', from Latin 'finire' (to terminate or limit), built on 'finis' (end). Tasting experts adapted the word to describe the final stage of sensory evaluation.
Word relationships
- aftertaste: 'Aftertaste' can often imply an unpleasant lingering flavor; 'finish' is neutral-to-positive in fine dining.
- short finish: A short finish fades instantly after swallowing, indicating a simple or lower-quality wine.
Commonly confused with
- aftermath: Aftermath means consequences of an event; finish in tasting means lingering flavor.
Word family
- finished (adjective): Completed or polished.
Collocations
- long finish
- clean finish
- lingering finish
- smooth finish
Example sentences
- "The grand cru Pinot Noir impressed the panel with its exceptionally long, silky finish." Wine Critique
Memory hook
The FINISH is what stays with you when the sip is FINISHED. The final lingering memory.
When not to use
Do not use merely to mean 'end of a bottle' when evaluating wine quality.
Fun facts
- Wine critics measure the duration of a finish in seconds (often called 'caudalies'); top wines can linger over a minute.
Related words
Explore more words
aftertaste, mouthfeel, texture, savor, astringency, palatability
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