Body

How heavy or full a wine feels, light to full.

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Definition

Body is how heavy or full a wine feels in your mouth, from light like skimmed milk to full like cream. It is driven mainly by alcohol, along with sugar and extract. Body is a feel, not a flavour.

Why it matters for WSET

WSET rates body from light to full. Higher alcohol usually means fuller body, so body is a quick clue to a wine’s style and origin.

Example

Pinot Grigio is typically light-bodied; Shiraz is often full-bodied.

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