Tobacco: Difference between revisions

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In wine tasting, tobacco is a descriptive term used to denote a group of aromas commonly associated with bottle-aged wines, particularly mature red wines. It is classified as a tertiary aroma, developing during ageing rather than originating directly from the grape or primary fermentation.<ref>Robinson (ed.), ''The Oxford Companion to Wine'', Oxford University Press, 2015, ISBN 9780198705383.</ref>
In wine tasting, tobacco is a descriptive term used to denote a group of aromas commonly associated with bottle-aged wines, particularly mature red wines. It is classified as a tertiary aroma, developing during ageing rather than originating directly from the grape or primary fermentation.<ref>Jancis Robinson, ''Oxford Companion to Wine'', Oxford University Press, 17 Sept. 2015. ISBN 9780198705383.</ref>


The descriptor does not imply the presence of tobacco itself, but rather aromatic impressions reminiscent of cured tobacco leaf, cigar box, pipe tobacco or dried tobacco pouch.
The descriptor does not imply the presence of tobacco itself, but rather aromatic impressions reminiscent of cured tobacco leaf, cigar box, pipe tobacco or dried tobacco pouch.
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== Chemical background ==
== Chemical background ==


No single compound is responsible for tobacco-like aromas. Instead, the perception arises from complex interactions between multiple volatile compounds formed during ageing, including products of slow oxidation and polymerisation reactions.<ref>Jackson, ''Wine Science: Principles and Applications'', Academic Press, 2020, ISBN 9780128161180.</ref><ref>Waterhouse, Sacks & Jeffery, ''Understanding Wine Chemistry'', Wiley, 2016, ISBN 9781118627808.</ref>
No single compound is responsible for tobacco-like aromas. Instead, the perception arises from complex interactions between multiple volatile compounds formed during ageing, including products of slow oxidation and polymerisation reactions.<ref>PhD Jackson, Ronald S., ''Wine Science: Principles and Applications'', Academic Press Inc, 14 April 2020. ISBN 9780128161180.</ref><ref>Andrew L. Waterhouse, ''Understanding Wine Chemistry'', Wiley, 19 Aug. 2016. ISBN 9781118627808.</ref>


[[Oak ageing]] can indirectly contribute by providing additional phenolic material that later evolves into tertiary aromatic expressions, though tobacco notes may also appear in wines aged primarily in bottle rather than wood.
[[Oak ageing]] can indirectly contribute by providing additional phenolic material that later evolves into tertiary aromatic expressions, though tobacco notes may also appear in wines aged primarily in bottle rather than wood.
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== Associated wine styles and varieties ==
== Associated wine styles and varieties ==


Tobacco is most frequently associated with structured red wines capable of long ageing. It is commonly cited in tasting notes for mature wines based on varieties such as [[Cabernet Sauvignon]], [[Merlot]], [[Nebbiolo]] and [[Sangiovese]], among others.<ref>Robinson, Harding & Vouillamoz, ''Wine Grapes'', HarperCollins, 2012, ISBN 9780062206367.</ref>
Tobacco is most frequently associated with structured red wines capable of long ageing. It is commonly cited in tasting notes for mature wines based on varieties such as [[Cabernet Sauvignon]], [[Merlot]], [[Nebbiolo]] and [[Sangiovese]], among others.<ref>Jancis Robinson, Jose Vouillamoz, Julia Harding, & 0 more, ''Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, Including Their Origins and Flavours'', Ecco, 1 Nov. 2012. ISBN 9780062206367.</ref>


The descriptor is also used in reference to certain classic regional styles where bottle ageing is integral to typicity, including traditional [[Bordeaux]] blends and other long-lived European reds.<ref>Stevenson, ''The Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia'', DK, 2011, ISBN 9780756686840.</ref>
The descriptor is also used in reference to certain classic regional styles where bottle ageing is integral to typicity, including traditional [[Bordeaux]] blends and other long-lived European reds.<ref>Stevenson, ''The Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia'', DK, 2011, ISBN 9780756686840.</ref>
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== Contemporary usage ==
== Contemporary usage ==


Despite increasing stylistic diversity in global wine production, tobacco remains a widely understood descriptor in international wine discourse. Its continued use reflects both the persistence of age-worthy wine styles and the convergence of tasting language across markets.<ref>MacNeil, ''The Wine Bible'', Workman, 2022, ISBN 9781523515327.</ref><ref>Anderson & Pinilla, ''Wine Globalization'', Cambridge University Press, 2018, ISBN 9781108445687.</ref>
Despite increasing stylistic diversity in global wine production, tobacco remains a widely understood descriptor in international wine discourse. Its continued use reflects both the persistence of age-worthy wine styles and the convergence of tasting language across markets.<ref>Karen MacNeil, ''The Wine Bible'', Workman Adult, October 11, 2022. ISBN 9781523510092.</ref><ref>Anderson & Pinilla, ''Wine Globalization'', Cambridge University Press, 2018, ISBN 9781108445687.</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==