Citrus
Definition - What does Citrus mean?
Citrus is a wine tasting term that refers to both the aromas of citrus fruits and the tart, juicy flavor reminiscent of citrus fruits like oranges, tangerines, lemons, limes, grapefruits and tangerines. It is part of the tasting group “fruit”, which includes flavors like apple, berry and banana. Citrusy flavors are most common in white wines, especially those with lots of acidity.
WineFrog explains Citrus
Citrus aromas occur mostly in white wines (and the rare red) as a primary aroma. They are often accompanied by non-fruit secondary aromas such as flowers, green herbs and spices.
As mentioned in the definition above, citrus flavors present as tart, juicy flavor that invokes the taste of lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange, tangerine, or other citrusy fruits. The following varietals have prominent citrus flavors:
- Chardonnay
- Gewürztraminer
- Riesling (especially German Riesling)
- Sémillon
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Viognier
- Verdelho
- Chenin Blanc (or the variation Vouvray)
- Colombard
- Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio
- White Zinfandel
