Rich
Definition - What does Rich mean?
Rich describes a wine that is overall well-rounded. Other similar adjectives may be "generous" or "full". These wines are usually higher in alcohol and/or glycerin which gives them a full mouthfeel in rich fruit and ripe characteristics.They may also be perceived as sweet, which is due to higher alcohols
WineFrog explains Rich
When a wine is full of mature fruit character, both in aroma and taste, it is said to be "rich". A rich wine can be a red, white or rosé. Desert wines and some fortified wines can also be rich.
There are ways an individual may search for rich wines based on a few things:
- The vintage of the wine, specifically the conditions of the growing season.
- Wine region
- Overall terroir
The growing season greatly determines the style and characteristics of a wine made from the fruit of a specific year. If the growing season is fairly ideal with good temperatures (neither too hot or too cold) with cool nights and little precipitation, then most wines can be fruit-forward and balanced.
However, the region where the wine was made may have a greater impact. For example a Syrah from Rhone will be less likely to be "rich" compared to a Syrah/Shiraz from Australia. The terroir and the climate is drastically different. It is almost safe to say that most wines from the New World are more likely to be rich in character compared to the Old World. This also depends on local demands and the style of the winemakers.
