Written on 03/02/2022
Everything you need to know about wine minerality
It's no secret that, for several years now, it's not unusual to hear someone ask for a "mineral" wine. A term sometimes highly controversial and hated by oenologists. And with good reason: there's a lot behind the term, and few people really know what it means. That's why we're going to tell you a little more about this term, which only applies to whites.
But first of all, it is important to remember the definition of the term "mineral": "A mineral is a non-living substance that can be formed naturally or synthesized artificially. It is defined by its chemical composition and the organization of its atoms. The minerals are generally solid under normal conditions of temperature and pressure."
For oenologists and other experts, minerality is above all a sensation, even a perception, rather than a statement or a "taste" in itself. Indeed, unlike acidity or sugar content, a wine's minerality cannot be measured.
On the nose, mineral aromas are very present, with notes of pebbles, petroleum and flint. If you can't imagine what it might smell like, rub two flints together and you'll quickly recognize its cold, smoky notes.
On the palate, notes of oyster shells, flint and gunflint. It's the presence of mineral salts in the wine that gives this salty impression. A mineral wine will leave a sensation of "dryness" and freshness on the palate.
But where does this minerality come from, and what is it due to? The sensation of minerality is explained by soil chemistry. This results from the release of mineral components assimilated by the vine roots. This is why some people associate minerality with terroir.
Soil is not the only factor at play. Minerality can also come from certain compounds in the grapes destined for wine production. During vinification, odorless compounds develop aromas. These include thiol, which gives the wine a very mineral note. However, care must be taken not to confuse the minerality of wine with acidity, which are two totally different perceptions that can sometimes be confused.
In Burgundy, mineral wines are the order of the day. These include Maranges, Bouzeron, Montagny and Vire-Clesse.
